Normal Pregnancy

Question 1

What happens to blood pressure during pregnancy?

Answer 1

systolic stays same mostly

diastolic is reduced in first two trimesters then returns to normal

Question 2

The enlarged uterus can affect venous return, causing what?

Answer 2

varicose veins
ankle oedema
postural hypotension

Question 3

What happens to stroke volume, heart rate and cardiac output?

Answer 3

increase

Question 4

What happens to pulmonary ventilation and tidal volume?

Answer 4

increase

Question 5

What happens to BMR?

Answer 5

increases

Question 6

What changes are there in the blood?

Answer 6

• blood volume increases, Hb concentration decreases
• increase in clotting factors and reduction of fibrinolysis, so increased risk of thromboembolism
• Platelets are reduced, WCC and ESR increased

Question 7

How is due date calculated?

Answer 7

first day of LMP + 9 months + 7 days

Question 8

What does Down’s syndrome screening involve?

Answer 8

US for nuchal thickness
Serum b-HCG
PPA

Question 9

What further tests can be done for Down’s screening and when?

Answer 9

Amniocentesis 15 weeks

chorionic villus sampling at 12 weeks

Question 10

Miscarraige rate for amniocentesis?

Answer 10

1%

Question 11

Miscarraige rate for chorionic villus sampling?

Answer 11

2%

Question 12

When should women be screened for anaemia?

Answer 12

booking and at 28 weeks

Question 13

Should iron supplements be offered to all women?

Answer 13

no

Question 14

Should folic acid be taken by all women?

Answer 14

yes - 400mcg from before conception to 12 weeks

Question 15

Purpose of folic acid?

Answer 15

reduce risk of neural tube defects

Question 16

Who need to take 5mg of folic acid?

Answer 16

Women who:

• (or their partner) have a neural tube defect
• have had a previous baby with a neural tube defect
• (or their partner) have a family history of neural tube defects
• have diabetes
• have epilepsy

Question 17

What vitamins should/shouldn’t be advised in pregnancy?

Answer 17

Vit D - yes

Vit A -NO

Question 18

Example of neural tube defect?

Answer 18

spina bifida

Question 19

Which bacterial infection can be caused by dodgy milk, soft cheese, pate etc (hence why these things should be avoided in pregnancy)?

Answer 19

listeriosis

Question 20

What can raw eggs/meat lead to?

Answer 20

salmonella

Question 21

Women at high risk of pre eclampsia should be given what?

Answer 21

aspirin 75mg from 12 weeks to birth

Question 22

Abdominal trauma in pregnancy, women should have what?

Answer 22

rhesus testing asap

Question 23

Brisk reflexes are commonly associated with what?

Answer 23

pre eclampsia

Question 24

Which is commonly screened for, Hep B or C?

Answer 24

Hep B