Module 02: Care of Mother and Fetus During Antenatal Period (Part 02) Flashcards
When the woman is posed to pregnancy what is the normal size of the uterus?
(A) Normal Size - 2 by 3 inches
(B) Increases dramatically in both size and weight
When the woman is posed to pregnancy when is the uterus perceived to be at the umbilical level?
By week 20 to 22
When the woman is posed to pregnancy when is the uterus perceived to be at midway between the umbilicus and the xiphoid process?
By week 30
When the woman is posed to pregnancy when is the uterus perceived to be at the xiphoid process?
By week 36
These are rhythmic painless contractions of the uterus. They are characterized to begin by the end of the pregnancy.
Braxton Hicks Contractions
This is characterized as the softening of the lower uterine segment of the cervix. This occurs about the 6th week of pregnancy.
Hegar’s sign
What happens to the cervix during pregnancy?
(A) The glandular tissue increases in number and becomes hyperactive.
(B) The mucus plus is formed and acts a barrier to prevent ascending infection.
(C) There is an increase in blood flow in the cervix which leads to the softening of it (Goodell’s sign)>
What happens to the ovaries during pregnancy?
(A) Ovum production ceases due to high estrogen and progesterone which inhibits FSH and LH from pituitary stimulation.
(2) Corpus luteum persists and secretes progesterone until weeks 6 to 8, when the placenta is developed.
What happens to the breasts during pregnancy?
(A) The changes are brought about estrogen and progesterone.
(B) There is an increase in tenderness and the feeling of fullness or tingling. Superficial veins become more prominent.
(C) There is also an increase in pigmentation and increase in diameter of the areola and the nipple.
(D) Montgomery’s tubercles (sebaceous glands of the areola) become enlarge and protuberant due to the increase in estrogen and progesterone).
What happens to the colostrum during pregnancy?
It is produced by week 12. The colostrum is an antibody-rich forerunner of the mature breast milk.
When can pre-colostrum be expelled?
16th week
This is known to occur due to the persistence of the corpus luteum. Under this, ovulation is inhibited by the high levels of estrogen and progesterone.
Amenorrhea
Uterine changes are commonly influenced by what factors?
Due to circulatory, hormonal and related fetal growth during pregnancy.
This phenomenon is characterized as a purplish hue of the cervix and the vaginal mucosa.
Chadwick’s sign
This phenomenon is characterized as the whitish, gray discharge that is moderate in amount with a musty or mousy odor.
Leukorrhea
This phenomenon transpires when the mucus plug seals off the bacteria. Under this, the hormone responsible for this is progesterone.
Operculum
This is characterized as the patent softening of the lower uterine segment. In this, the uterus enlarges in size and changes in position.
Hegar’s sign
What happens to position of the uterus during the first trimester?
The uterus is in the pelvic cavity.
What happens to the position of the uterus during the second and third trimester?
The uterus is in the abdominal cavity before lightening occurs.
What happens to the ovaries during pregnancy?
Pregnancy is the rest period for the ovaries from producing eggs (A woman has 400,000 eggs in total).
What happens to the breasts during pregnancy?
The woman experiences a sense of fullness, tingling, soreness and darkening of the areola and the nipples due to an increase in her hormonal level.
What happens to the state of respiration of the mother during pregnancy?
The woman experiences shortness of breath because of enlarged uterus and increase in oxygen demand.
What should be the nursing intervention or management when the mother is experiencing shortness of breath?
Position the mother on the left lateral side-lying to promote the expansion of the lungs.
When does hyperventilation occur among mothers?
Due to the mother’s need to blow-off increased carbon dioxide transferred to her from the fetus.
Why does nasal congestion occur among mothers during pregnancy?
It occurs as a response to increased estrogen levels.
Explain the blood volume increase of the mother during pregnancy.
Blood volume increases about 40 to 45%.
Explain the cardiac output increase of the mother during pregnancy.
By weeks 20 to 24, cardiac output increases about 30 to 50% over pre-pregnant levels and it remains elevated fro the duration of the pregnancy.
How do you calculate the cardiac output?
Cardiac Output = Heart Rate x Stroke Volume
Explain the pulse rate and the blood pressure of the mother during pregnancy.
(A) Pulse rate increases.
(B) Blood pressure decreases slightly by 2nd trimester
RBCs, hemoglobin (NORMAL: 12 to 16 for female; 14 to 16 for male) and the plasma levels also increase.
What levels of hematocrit are considered normal among mothers posed to pregnancy?
32% to 44%
Explain the leukocyte levels of a mother when posed during pregnancy.
(A) Leukocyte production increases
(B) Pressure of enlarging uterus on vena cava can interfere with blood return to the heart.
(1) Can cause dizziness, pallor, clamminess and lowered BP (supine hypotensive syndrome/ vena caval syndrome or aortocaval compression)
This condition transpires when the weight of the enlarged uterus obstructs the vena cava, which decreased blood returning to the heart; therefore, decreasing the cardiac output; hence, resulting to hypotension, lightheadedness, faintness, and palpitations.
Supine Hypotensive Syndrome or Vena Caval Syndrome
What is the rationale of the lateral position for mothers when undergoing pregnancy?
It helps relieve pressure on the sacrum and heels in person who sit for much of the day or who are confined to bed and rest in the fowler’s or supine positions.
What is the area of support when assisting mothers in lateral position?
The head, across the chest and in between the thigh
Explain the heart rate among mothers when posed to pregnancy.
Heart rate increases 10 to 15 beats per minute. in the latter, half of the pregnancy. (Palpitation is also common)
This type of condition is characterized is due to the hemodilution of the blood (slight difference to the normal).
Physiologic anemia
Explain the phenomenon of physiologic anemia.
(A) 45-50% increase in blood volume expansion, of which about 75% is plasma and 25% is RBC
This type of condition is characterized to be the most common hematologic disorder. This is also known as the iron deficiency anemia among pregnant women.
Pathologic Anemia (Affects roughly 20% of pregnant women)
How do you assess pathologic anemia among patients?
Pallor, concave fingernails(late sign of progressive anemia) caused by chronic tissue hypoxia, and listlessness