2.5.3 Fetal Physiology Flashcards
What happens to fetal heart rate over the course of pregnancy?
It decreases due to increase in the development of the autonomic nervous system
What happens during decreased O2 contents?
Blood flow to brain, myocardium, and adrenal glands increases
Why does a fetus have the ability to thrive when receiving blood with a PO2 of 38.9?
Increased oxygen carrying capacity - increased hemoglobin and increased affinity
Increased cardiac output
Optimization of fetal circulation
How does an O2 sat curve look of a mother vs a fetus?
How much amniotic fluid is present during the maxium point?
1 liter at 36 weeks
Where is blood made at various points of gestation?
Yolk sac
Liver
Bone marrow
Discuss fetal lung maturation?
Draw a diagram covering maternal and fetal blood gas exchange
What is meconium?
Fetal cells, phospholipids, lanugo, scalp hair, vernix, pigments - components of meconium
What is the flow of amniotic fluid during the third trimester?
Pee it out and then swallow it
What is this an image of?
Circle of Willis - shows the blood flow to the neonate brain
What brings in the most oxygenated blood to the fetus?
Umbilical vein
What are the different covered parts?
How do levels of hemoglobin in the baby change through the pregnancy?
They are increasing throughout
