Module 5: Pregnancy and Childbirth Flashcards
what is the most dangerous thing a woman can go through in their lifetime
childbirth
list races by maternal mortality from highest to lowest
- black
- native american and alaska native
- white
- asian and pacific islander
- hispanic
what cells are needed for fertilization
- egg cell
- sperm cell
define zygote
- fertilized egg cell
- sperm + egg
how many sperm cells are deposited per ejaculation
300-500 million
how many egg cells are released per month
1 (on average, can be more)
how does being pregnant with twins change your risk status
twin pregnancies and births are considered high risk
define dizygotic twins
- 2 eggs and 2 sperm cells create 2 zygotes
- have different genetic material
- as genetically related as any other siblings
define monozygotic twins
- 1 egg and 1 sperm cell create 1 zygote that will split into two embryos
- have identical genetic information
what is considered full term for twins
36 weeks
what is the only difference in the appearance of monozygotic twins and why
- fingerprints and footprints
- created by the way the baby grows in the uterus
which type of twin is considered safer and why
- dizygotic twins
- each baby has its own placenta and amniotic sac
which type of twin is considered more high risk and why
- monozygotic twins
- both babies share 1 placenta and amniotic sac
which cell is larger: egg or sperm
egg
why is it good to confirm a pregnancy early
- leads to earlier decision making
- allows mother to change behaviors to keep baby healthy
- more options for termination earlier on in the pregnancy
define teratogen
- anything that causes a birth defect
- smoking, alcohol, etc.
when do early signs of pregnancy typically occur
within the first 6 weeks
list early signs of pregnancy
- missed periods
- breast swelling/tenderness
- fatigue
- nausea/vomiting
- elevated body temperature
- mood swings
- frequent urination
should you be bleeding when you are pregnant
- should not have bleeding similar to a period
- may experience breakthrough bleeding or spotting while pregnant
how much can breasts grow during pregnancy
can increase 1-3 cup sizes
what happens to your blood volume when you’re pregnant
blood volume increases
why do pregnant women experience nausea/vomiting
hormones
how much does body temperature increase during pregnany
1-2 degrees
why is body temperature higher during pregnancy
blood volume increases
why do pregnant women experience mood swings
hormones
why do pregnant women experience frequent urination
- the growing baby in the uterus pushes on the bladder
- lower bladder volume
define amnion
- fetal sac that envelops the embryo
- flexible membrane
- contains pregnancy contents
define amniotic fluid
- provides protection and constant environment for floating embryo
- necessary for growth and development of the fetus
- keeps a constant temperature
- protects against excess movement
- clear/yellowish color
define placenta
- supplies fetus with oxygen and nutrients from the maternal bloodstream
- filters waste back to the mother for disposal
define umbilical cord
- connects the developing fetus to the placenta
- contains two arteries and one vein
- connected at the belly button of the fetus
- about 1 foot in length
when is the first trimester
1-12 weeks
when do most women find out they are pregnant
around 6 weeks
when does pregnancy officially begin
when the embryo implants into the uterine wall
what is considered full term for an average pregnancy
36-40 weeks
list symptoms that occur during the first trimester
- enlarged and tender breasts
- morning sickness (nausea and/or vomiting)
- extreme fatigue
- decreased interest in sex
- moodiness and irritability
- darkening of nipple and areola
does morning sickness only occur in the morning
no, but it may be more significant in the morning
what should you do to help morning sickness
eat small snacks like crackers, bananas, or toast
why might a pregnant woman have a decreased interest in sex
- hormones
- feeling sore, nauseous, or uncomfortable (physically or emotionally)
what causes a darkening of the nipple and areola during preganny
increased estrogen
when is the second trimester
13-27 weeks
list symptoms that occur during the second trimester
- morning sickness subsides
- gastrointestinal problems (heartburn, gas, constipation)
- breathing problems
- backache
- leg cramps and numbness/tingling of hands
- swelling of feet, hands, and ankles
when does an embryo become a fetus
after 8 weeks
why does morning sickness typically subside during the second trimester
hormones begin to balance out
define hyperemesis gravis
- extreme vomiting during pregnancy
- causes dehydration and malnutrition
- may need to be hospitalized
why might a pregnant woman experience gastrointestinal problems (heartburn, gas, constipation)
compression of internal organs (stomach, intestines)
why might a pregnant woman experience breathing problems
- compression of lungs
- lung volume decreases
why might a pregnant woman experience backache
the change in the center of gravity with more weight anterior causes a pregnant woman to lean backwards to maintain balance
why might a pregnant woman experience leg cramps and numbness/tinging of hands
compressive pressure on abdominal aorta that supplies blood to these areas
where do pregnant woman typically get leg cramps
calves
when is the third trimester
28-40 weeks
list symptoms that occur during the third trimester
- leg cramps continue and worsen
- backache continues and worsens
- breathlessness continues and worsens
- braxton-hicks contractions
- production of colostrum
- pelvic and buttock discomfort
describe braxton-hicks contractions
- false labor
- body getting ready for actual labor
- cramps all over body
what is the main difference between braxton-hicks contractions and real labor contractions
- braxton-hicks contractions happen in multiple areas
- real labor contractions start in the fundus of the uterus
what are colloquial names for colostrum
- pre-milk
- liquid gold
describe colostrum
- first milk produced
- couple of tablespoons in volume
- thicker than regular breastmilk
- full of antibodies
what immune system is a baby born with
no immune system
where do babies get antibodies after they are born
breastmilk (colostrum)
why might a pregnant woman experience pelvic/buttock discomfort
- hips are widening
- separation of pubic symphasis
how much weight do women gain on average during pregnancy
25-30 pounds
define preconcpetion care
the steps a woman can take before she decides to become pregnant to ensure that she is in good health when conception occurs
when is it recommended to start taking prenatal vitamins
3 months before conception
list aspects of preconception care
- prenatal vitamins (folic acid)
- proper immunizations
- healthy behaviors
- nutrition
what does folic acid prevent
neural tube defects (spina bifida, anencephaly, microcephaly)
define spina bifida
- neural tube defect
- spinal column doesn’t close completely so the spinal cord is exposed
- needs surgery
- may cause loss of function in all or part of body
define anencephaly
- neural tube defect
- absent portions of the brain
define microcephaly
- neural tube defect
- small/undeveloped brain
- associated with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs)
how much folic acid should a woman planning on conceiving consume per day
400 micrograms
what foods contain folic acid
- beans
- legumes
- dark leafy greens
- nuts
- seeds
- some citrus fruits
why should you get all proper immunizations as a part of preconception care
to form antibodies that you can transfer to you baby through breastmilk
how many extra calories does a pregnant woman in the third trimester need per day
200-300 calories extra per day
what are the benefits of exercising during pregnany
- feeling better throughout pregnancy
- shorter labor
- quicker recovery from birth
how long is the typical first labor
16-24 hours
what forms of exercise should pregnant women engage in
- activities they have done pre-pregnancy with some modifications (running, weights)
- swimming
- walking
- low impact aerobics (yoga)
- kegel exercises
describe kegel exercises
- strengthen pelvic floor muscles for labor and post-labor
- can prevent incontinence following labor
- can practice by stopping peeing midstream
what forms of exercise should pregnant women NOT engage in and why
- horseback riding: puts pressure on cervix, falling danger
- skiing/snowboarding: falling danger, likely to fall on stomach
list effects of smoking during pregnancy
- reduction of fetal blood flow
- ability of fetus to metabolize vitamins is reduced
- premature labor and low birth weight
- increased chance of hemorrhaging and stillbirth during delivery
- hospital stays are longer
- mother heals slower
- increases likelihood of SIDS
why does smoking cause a reduction in fetal blood flow
nicotine is a vasoconstrictor
what is defined as low birth weight
under 5.5 pounds
why does smoking cause low birth weight
- nicotine causes decreased blood flow (vasoconstriction)
- reduced blood flow can decrease nutrition to the fetus
- decreased nutrition can cause lower birth weight
define SIDS
- sudden infant death syndrome
- infant death (under 1 year) from no known cause
- association with smoking
what is the leading cause of preventable birth defects
drinking alcohol while pregnant
how does drinking alcohol while pregnant affect the fetus
- alcohol passes through the placenta
- decreases glucose and oxygen to the fetal brain
what conditions does drinking while pregnant cause
- fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS)
- alcohol-related birth defects (ARBD)
describe fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS)
- spectrum disorder (different severities)
- distinct physical features
- intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs)
- less impulse/emotional control
- shorter attention span
what are the distinct physical features caused by fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS)
- small head
- low nasal bridge (flat nose)
- epicanthal folds (webbing at the corner of the eye)
- small eye openings
- flat midface (less pronounced cheekbones)
- shorter nose
- smooth philtrum (above lips)
- thin upper lip
- underdeveloped/small jaw
describe alcohol related birth defects (ARBD)
- creates problems with internal organs
- kidney problems, hearing loss, heart problems, issues with bone growth/development
when during pregnant is drinking alcohol most dangerous
during the 1st trimester
describe the difference between screenings and diagnostic testing
- screenings are done to assess risk and determine is further diagnostic testing is needed
- diagnostic testing is used to get answers/diagnoses
what screenings are done during the first trimester
- ultrasound tests
- maternal blood tests
describe the ultrasound screenings done during the first trimester
- vaginal ultrasounds are performed early in pregnant; abdominal ultrasounds are performed later
- done to confirm pregnancy and check fetal position and growth
what conditions does maternal blood tests done in the first trimester screen for
- down syndrome (trisomy 21)
- trisomy 18
what does trisomy 21 and trisomy 18 mean
- trisomy 21 (down syndrome) means there is a third copy of the chromosome 21
- trisomy 18 means there is a third copy of the chromosome 18
how do maternal blood tests screen for fetal genetic abnormalities
some of the fetal DNA is in maternal blood as it is passed through the placenta
what increases the risk of a baby having down syndrome
increased maternal/paternal age
what are the effects of trisomy 18 on a baby
- born low birth weight (under 5.5 pounds)
- heart defects
- small head