OB Terms Flashcards
Ballottement
- The passive fetal movement elicited by pushing up against the cervix with 2 fingers
- this pushes the fetal body up and as it falls back the examiner feels the rebound
Braxton-hicks contractions
- irregular contractions of the uterus
- occur intermittently throughout pregnancy
- may be palpated bimanually beginning about the 4th month of pregnancy
- help stimulate the movement of blood through the intervillous spaces of the placenta
Chadwick sign
- blue purple discoloration of the cervix
- caused by vascularization of the cervix
- increased vascularization is a result of hypertrophy and engorgement of the vessels below the growing uterus
Colostrum
- an antibody rich, yellow secretion
- may be expressed manually by the 12th week
- may leak from breasts during the last trimester of pregnancy
- gradually converts to mature milk during the first few days following child birth
Goodall sign
- softening of the cervix
- caused by vascularization of the cervix
Mucous plug
- thick, tenacious mucus, produced from glandular tissue of the cervix
- accumulates and thickens, forming to seal the endscervical canal
- prevents the ascent of bacteria or other substances into the uterus
- expelled when cervical dialation begins
Striae
- purplish stretch marks
- turn silver after child birth
- breast changes are most noticeable in a first time pregnacy
Physiological anemia of pregnancy
- the plasma volume increase is 50% greater than the 25% increase of erythrocytes
- because of this the hematocrit decreases slightly
- this decrease is physiological anemia of pregnancy (pseudoanemia)
Supine hypotension syndrome
(Vena canal syndrome)
(Aortocaval compression)
- pressure interfering with returning blood flow cause by the enlarging uterus putting pressure on the vena cava when the woman is supine
- decreased BP, dizziness, pallor, and clamminess
- corrected by having the woman lie on her left side
Linea nigra
- increased pigmentation on the linea alba (midline of the abdomen from the pubic area to the umbilicus and above)
- causes this area to darken
Chloasma
Melasma gravidarum
- “mask of pregnancy”
- irregular pigmentation of the: cheeks, forehead, nose
- accentuated by sun exposure
- similar changes may occur in women who are taking oral contraceptives
- more prominent in dark haired women and is occasionally disfiguring
- it fades or at least regresses soon after birth when the hormonal influence of pregnancy has stopped
McDonald sign
- an ease in flexing of the body of the uterus against the cervix
Hegar sign
- softening of the isthmus of the uterus, the area between the cervix and the body of the uterus
- occurs between 6-8 weeks
- may become so soft that on a bimanual exam there seems to be nothing between the cervix and the body of the uterus
Quickening
- mothers perception o fetal movement
- 18-20 weeks
- in a woman who is primigravida (pregnant for the first time) it can occur as early as 16 weeks
Couvade
Traditionally
- observance of certain rituals and taboos by the male to signify the transition to fatherhood
Recently
- developing similar ailments that the mother is exibiting I.e. Fatigue, increased appetite, difficulty sleeping, depression, headache, backache
Antepartum
- time between conception and onset of labor
- usually used to describe the period during which a woman is pregnant
- used interchangeably with prenatal
Intrapartum
- time from onset of labor until the birth of the infant and placenta
Post partum
- time from birth until the woman’s body returns to an essentially prepregnant condition
- typically 6 weeks
Gestation
- the number of weeks since the first day of the last menstrual period (LMP)
Abortion
- birth that occurs before 20 weeks gestation
- or the fetus-newborn who weighs less than 500g
- may occur spontaneously
- or induced by surgical or medical means
- if induced it is deemed a therapeutic abortion
Term
No longer a term used
Early term
- extending from 37 0/7 weeks to 38 6/7 weeks
Full term
- 39 0/7 weeks to 40 6/7 weeks
Late term
41 0/7 weeks to 41 6/7 weeks
Post term
42 0/7 weeks and beyond
Preterm or premature labor
Labor that occurs after 20 weeks but before the completion of 37 weeks of gestation
Post term labor
Labor that occurs 42 weeks of gestation
Gravida
Any pregnany, regardless of duration including present pregnancy
Nulligravida
Woman who has never been pregnant
Primigravida
Woman who is pregnant for the first time
Multigravida
Woman who is in her second of any subsequent pregnancy
Para
- birth after 20 weeks gestation regardless of whether the infant is born dead or alive
Nullipara
A woman who has not given birth at more than 20 weeks gestation
Primipara
A woman who has given one birth at more than 20 weeks gestation
Multipara
Woman who has had two or more births at more than 20 weeks gestation
Stillbirth
- fetus born dead after 20 weeks gestation
