Normal Antepartum Flashcards
The length of a pregnancy is divided into what?
Trimesters
1st - the first 13 weeks
2nd - through 26 weeks
3rd - 27 weeks until term
How many weeks is early term?
37 0/7 weeks to 38 6/7 weeks
How many weeks is full term?
39 0/7 weeks to 40 6/7 weeks
How many weeks is late term?
41 0/7 weeks to 41 6/7 weeks
How many weeks is post term?
42 0/7 weeks or above
In GTPAL, what does G stand for?
(Gravida)
Total number of pregnancies past and present
In GTPAL, what does T stand for?
(Term)
Number of deliveries after 37 completed weeks
In GTPAL, what does P stand for?
(Preterm)
Number of deliveries after 20 weeks but before 37 completed weeks
In GTPAL, what does A stand for?
(Abortions)
Number of pregnancies ending after 20 weeks
In GTPAL, what does L stand for?
(Living)
Number of currently living children
Types of symptoms
- Presumptive (subjective)
- Probable (objective)
- Diagnostic
Characteristics of presumptive symptoms
These are symptoms the woman experiences and reports
Characteristics of probable symptoms
- Signs perceived by the examiner
2. May be caused by conditions other than pregnancy
Characteristics of diagnostic symptoms
- Signs perceived by the examiner
2. Can be caused only by pregnancy
Examples of diagnostic signs of pregnancy
- Fetal heart rate can be detected with a doppler as early as 10 weeks
- Fetal movement palpable by HCP after about 20 weeks
- Visualization of fetus by USG
- Gestational sac visible 4-5 weeks gestation
- Heart beat visualized at 6-7 weeks
Hormones that are initially produced by the corpus luteum and then produced by the placenta
- Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)
- Human placental lactogen (hPL)
- Estrogen
- Progesterone
- Relaxin
- Prostaglandins
hCG
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin
- Stimulates estrogen and progesterone production by corpus luteum until placenta develops
- Basis for urine pregnancy tests
- Peaks at week 8 and then gradually decreases
- Responsible for a lot of pregnancy nausea
hPL
Human Placental Lactogen
Acts as insulin antagonist by increasing the amount of free fatty acids and decreasing maternal metabolism of glucose (when this spikes, it is because the fetus is growing a lot)
Estrogen
- First produced by the corpus luteum
- Placenta takes over production by 7th week
- Stimulates uterine development
- Prepares ducts in breasts for lactation
Progesterone
- Produced by corpus luteum, then by the placenta at week 7
- Most important hormone for maintaining pregnancy by inhibiting uterine contractility and preventing early miscarriage
- Prepares breasts for lactation
- Slows down peristalsis
- Calms smooth muscles (uterus, intestines)
Relaxin
- Inhibits uterine activity
- Diminishes strength of uterine contractions
- Aids in softening cervix
- Makes pelvis cartilage flexible
Prostaglandins
- Function is uncertain; thought to be responsible for placental vascular resistance
- Decreased levels associated with HTN in pregnancy
- Thought to play a role in initiation of labor
* Sperm has prostaglandins which can soften the cervix
Presumptive Signs of Pregnancy (Uterus)
- Amenorrhea
- Enlargement of abdomen
- Quickening
Probable Signs of Pregnancy (Uterus)
- Braxton-Hicks contractions
- Uterine souffle
- Fetal outline can be palpated in the abdomen
Amenorrhea
The absence of menses
- One of the earliest symptoms in a woman whose cycles are regular
Describe how the abdomen enlarges during pregancy
- Uterus rises above the symphysis after 12 weeks, level of umbilicus at 20 weeks
- Enlarges and thickens primarily due to hypertrophy not hyperplasia
- Capacity - increases from 10 mL to 5000 mL
- By end of pregnancy - 1/6 of maternal blood flow goes to the uterus
Quickening
Fetal movement felt by mom (fluttering sensation)
* 18-22 weeks in 1st pregnancies, 16 weeks for experienced moms
Braxton-Hicks contractions
16-28 weeks
Irregular, often painless, later may be confused with labor
Uterine Souffle
- Soft blowing sound auscultated over maternal abdomen occurring at same rate as maternal pulse
- Caused by uterine blood pulsating through placenta
How do hormones affect the cervix?
- Estrogen causes an increase of cells and hyperactivity
2. Hormone stimulated changes lead to a mucus plug
What is the purpose of a mucus plug?
- Seals endocervical canal
- Protects pregnancy form ascending microorganisms (infection)
* Will lose 2 weeks before delivery
Probable Signs of Pregnancy (Cervix)
- Goodell’s sign
- Chadwick’s sign
- Ballottement
Goodell’s Sign
Softening of the cervix; usually caused by estrogen or vasocongestion (blood pooling)
Chadwick’s Sign
Bluish discoloration from increased vascularity; can be caused by vasocongestion
Ballottement
Passive fetal movement, rebound, when examiner pushes against the cervix
- Baby is still free floating (not in labor)
Hegar’s Sign
A probable sign of pregnancy
- Softening of the isthmus
McDonald’s Sign
A probable sign of pregnancy
- An ease in flexing the body of the uterus against the cervix
Normal Antepartum (ovaries)
They continue to produce hormones
* The placenta takes over around 6-7 weeks
Changes to the vaginal epithelium during pregnancy
- Increased secretions (means more flushing which means its cleaner)
- Thickening of mucosa
- Increased risk of yeast infections (because of increased BG and pH imbalances)
Changes to the connective tissue of the vagina during pregnancy
- Loosens throughout pregnancy
2. Later allows for expansion needed for delivery
Presumptive Signs of Pregnancy (Breasts)
- Montgomery’s tubercles (bumps of the breast tissue); helps with lubrication later on in pregnancy
- Hypertrophy and hyperplasia
- Become more nodular
- More and larger glands
Changes to the breasts during pregnancy
- Areola darken; nipples erectile
- Veins become more prominent
- Colostrum production
- Occurs in last trimester
- Antibody rich yellow secretion
Changes to the respiratory system during pregnancy
- Increased O2 needs (20-40% increase)
- Structural changes
- Growing uterus will elevate the diaphragm until lightening (when the baby drops 36-40 weeks)
- Increased subcostal angle
- Increased chest diameter
- Increased air volume exchange
- Nasal stuffiness and epistaxis (nose bleed); more susceptible to allergies
- Respiratory rate increases as pregnancy progresses
Changes to the cardiovascular system during pregnancy (heart)
- Increased workload due to increased volume
- More flow to uterus and kidney’s, increased potential for dependent edema in lower extremities and variscosities in legs, vulva, rectum
- Systolic flow murmur due to resistance of increased blood volume
- Sinus arrhythmia
- 50% increase in blood volume
- Pulse increases
- BP decreases during 2nd trimester, then increases to pre-pregnancy levels by end of 3rd trimester
Changes to the cardiovascular system during pregnancy (blood volume)
Physiologic Anemia
- Plasma volume greater than erythrocyte volume (can cause a lower H/H lab result
- Increased production of leukocytes (5000-15,0000)
- Fibrin and fibrinogen levels (increased risk thrombosis)
What is supine hypotensive syndrome?
- Occurs during 2nd and 3rd trimesters when the weight of the uterus presses on the vena cava when the patient is supine
- Decreased blood flow return to the right atrium (decreased BP) which leads to dizziness, pallor, and clamminess
How do you correct supine hypotensive syndrome?
Left side-lying position (which increases cardiac output)
Presumptive Signs of Pregnancy (Gastrointestinal System)
- Nausea and vomiting
- Common in 1st trimester due to increased hCG levels
- May be accompanied by ptyalism (salty taste before vomiting)
Changes to the gastrointestinal system during pregnancy
- Pyrosis (heartburn)
- Bloating and constipation
- Hemorrhoids
Why is pyrosis typical during pregnancy?
Due to relaxation of cardiac sphincter with resultant reflux of stomach acid into lower esophagus
Why is bloating and constipation typical during pregnancy?
- Increased progesterone relaxes smooth muscle which leads to delayed gastric emptying time and slowed peristalsis
- Uterus adds pressure in abdominal cavity
Why are hemorrhoids typical during pregnancy?
They are the result of increased blood volume, decreased venous return, and slowed peristalsis
Changes to the liver during pregnancy
Decreased plasma albumin and serum cholinesterase
Changes to the gall bladder during pregnancy
Decreased emptying time may predispose to gallstone formation
Presumptive Sign of Pregnancy (Urinary Tract)
Urinary Frequency
- Experienced in 1st trimester when uterus still in true pelvis
- In 3rd trimester the weight of the uterus presses on the bladder
Changes to the urinary tract during pregnancy
- Increased urine output
- Increased volume
- Bladder capacity doubles
- Glomerular filtration rate increased by 50% by 2nd trimester and remains elevated until delivery
- Renal tubular absorption increases during 2nd and 3rd trimesters
- Renal threshold for glucose decreases (unable to reabsorb all the glucose filtered by the glomeruli which leads to glucosuria which may indicate development of gestational DM) (trace is okay)
- Renal pelvis and ureters dilate and relax