Final Flashcards
definition of infertility
No conception after 1 year of unprotected intercourse
Professional advice should be sought after 6 months if any of the following factors are present
- Female partner over age 35
- Irregular or absent menstrual periods
- 2 or more miscarriages
- Prior history of tubal disease or pelvic infection
- History or current infection of the prostate
- Reversal of surgical sterilization of either partner
- Endometriosis
- Breast discharge
- Excessive acne or hirsutism
basic causes of infertility for females
Ovarian issues (oligoovulation, anovulation, oocyte aging) Fallopian tube abnormalities/pelvic adhesions (PID, endometriosis, previous surgeries, IBD) Uterine issues (reduced implantation, leiomyomas) Luteal phase defects (abnormalities of corpus luteum causing inadequate progesterone) Cervical factors (cervical mucus, stenosis)
basic causes of infertility for males
varicocele hydrocele defective ejaculation cryptochordism antisperm antibodies infection hormonal issues congenital disorders and chromosomal testicular cancer trauma torsion
Testing for infertility
semen analysis
menstrual hx
LH surge assessment in urine and/or luteal phase progesterone
Day 3 Serum FSH and estradiol levels
Naturopathic treatments for infertility (males)
Supplements: Vit C (1-5 qd), Vit E (400 IU qd)
Botanicals: ginseng (5-30 gtts BID), oats (15-30 gtts TID)
Naturopathic treatments for infertility (females)
Vitex angus castus with aletris, cimicifuga (1/2 tsp BID)
Supplements: Vit E (400 IU QID), Zn (50 mg QID)
Labor
regular uterine contraction
progressive cervical effacement
progressive uterine dilation
term pregnancy
37-42 weeks
what stimulates contractions?
oxytocin (oxytocin levels don’t increase but rather receptors become more sensitive)
Hormones/factors involved in the parturitional cascade (during onset of labor)
Prostaglandins: increased to soften cervix and help contractions
Progesterone: withdrawal (doesn’t always occur)
Estrogen: up regulates receptors in uterus increasing contractility
Fetal secretions of what starts the cascade?
Cortisol appears to increase placental CRH, CRH enhances prostaglandins and potentiates the effects of oxytocin
First stage of labor
interval between the onset of labor and full cervical dilation
full cervical dilation
10 cm
the 3 phases under first stage?
- Latent phase: slow dilation, contraction are 5-10 min apart, lasting 30-45 sec
- Active phase: faster rate of dilation, begins at 4 cm dilation, contraction often 2-4 min apart, lasting 60 seconds
- Transition phase: begins at 7cm, characterized by a mix of dilation and descent of fetus
Second stage of labor
refers to the interval between full cervical dilation and delivery of infant
this is where the maternal desire to bear down (push) with contractions usu starts
what are the cardinal movements?
flexion and descent
internal rotation
extension of head
restitution once head is free (external rotation)
delivery of ant. shoulder, then posterior shoulder
3 P’s of labor
power (strength of uterine contractions)
passenger (refers to fetus)
pelvis
what indicates onset of labor?
regular firm contractions
bloody show (cervical changes)
spontaneous rupture of membranes (rupture of amniotic sac)
Initial examination
dilation of cervix (0-10 cm) effacement of cervix (0-100%) station of fetal head (-5 to +5) status of amniotic membranes/presence of meconium presentation and position of fetus
widest part of head to deliver through narrows part of pelvis?
biparietal diameter through the ischial spines of pelvis
monitoring during labor
vital every 4 hrs if normal (1-2 hrs with abnormalities)
assessment of uterine contractions
cervical examinations
fetal heart rate (every 15-60 min during first stage, every 5 min during second stage, listen during and after contractions, normal range is 110-160 bpm)
what activity should you encourage in a woman during labor?
empty their bladders regularly
change positions frequently (every 1-2 hrs)
what are some easy pain relief measures?
position changes
massage
warm water
homeopathy
what can you do to augment labor (make it stronger)
hydration calories (sugar, protein and fat) acupuncture herbs (black cohosh, mistle toe) breast pump
what is amniotomy and why might you do it?
artificial rupture of membranes
to encourage labor