PCM Reproduction: Flashcards
During pregnancy Vaginal pH becomes more acidic due to the action vf?
Lactobacillus acidophilus on the increased levels of glycogen stored in the vaginal epithelium.
This change in pH during pregnancy helps protect the woman against some vaginal infections, but?
increased glycogen may contribute to higher rates of vaginal candidiasis
Hegar’s sign:
The uterus early in pregnancy loses the firmness & resistance of the nonpregnant organ with palpable
softening at the isthmus.
Over the course of 9 months of pregnancy, the uterus
Increases in both weight and size:
- Weight 2 ounces to 2 pounds chiefly due to larger muscle cells more extensive fibrous & elastic tissue, & the considerable increase in the
size& number of blood vessels and lymphatics.
- size of the uterus increases 500- to 1000-fold,
- capacity approximately 10 liters by the end of the pregnancy.
The nongravid uterus may be?
anteverted, retroverted, or retroflexed.
Up to 12 weeks of gestation, the gravid uterus is?
still a pelvic organ.
Regardless of its initial positioning, the enlarging uterus becomes?
Anteverted and quickly fills space usually occupied by the bladder, triggering frequent voiding.
By 12 weeks’ gestation, the uterus?
Straightens & rises out of the pelvis & can be felt when palpating the abdomen.
Chadwick’s sign:
The cervix pronounced softening & cyanosis appear very early after conception & continue throughout pregnancy.
Common Concerns Time in Pregnancy: No menses (amenorrhea)
Throughout
Continued high levels of estrogen, progesterone, & human chorionic gonadotropin following fertilization of the ovum build up the endometrium to support the developing pregnancy, averting menses & shedding of the endometrial lining.
Common Concerns Time in Pregnancy: Nausea with or without vomiting
1st trimester
Possible causes include hormonal changes of pregnancy leading to slowed peristalsis throughout the GI tract, changes in taste and smell, the growing uterus, or emotional factors. Women may have a modest (2–5 lb) weight loss in the first trimester.
Common Concerns Time in Pregnancy: Breast tenderness, tingling
1st trimester
The hormones of pregnancy stimulate the growth of breast tissue. As the breasts enlarge throughout pregnancy, women may experience upper backache from their increased weight. There is also increased blood flow throughout the breasts, increasing pressure on the tissue.
Common Concerns Time in Pregnancy: Weight loss
1st trimester
If a woman experiences nausea & vomiting, she may not be eating normally in early pregnancy
Common Concerns Time in Pregnancy: Groin/lower
abdominal pain
2nd trimester: 14–20 weeks
Rapid uterine growth early in second trimester causes tension & stretching of round ligaments, causing spasm with sudden movement or change of position.
Common Concerns Time in Pregnancy: Urinary frequency (nonpathologic)
1st/3rd trimesters
There is increased blood volume & increased filtration rate in the kidneys with increased urine production. Due to less space for the bladder from pressure from the growing uterus (first trimester) or from the descent of the fetal head (third trimester), the woman needs to empty her bladder more frequently
Common Concerns Time in Pregnancy: Fatigue
1st/3rd trimesters
Rapid change in energy requirements; hormonal changes (progesterone has a sedative effect); in third trimester, weight gain, changes in mechanics of movement, & sleep disturbances contribute.
Common Concerns Time in Pregnancy: Edema
3rd trimester
There is increased venous pressure in the legs, obstruction of lymphatic flow, & reduced plasma colloid osmotic pressure.
Common Concerns Time in Pregnancy: Heartburn,
constipation
Throughout
Relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter allows stomach contents to back up into the lower esophagus. The decreased GI motility caused by pregnancy hormones slows peristalsis & causes constipation. Constipation may cause or aggravate existing hemorrhoids.
Common Concerns Time in Pregnancy: Backache
nonpathologic
Throughout
Hormonally induced relaxation of joints & ligaments & the minor lordosis required to balance the growing uterus sometimes result in a lower backache. Pathologic causes must be ruled out.
Common Concerns Time in Pregnancy Leukorrhea
Throughout
Increased secretions from the cervix and the vaginal epithelium, due to the hormones & vasocongestion of pregnancy, result in an asymptomatic milky white vaginal discharge.
Early in pregnancy, the corpus luteum, the ovarian follicle that has discharged its ovum, may be?
Sufficiently prominent to be felt on the affected ovary as a small nodule, but it disappears by midpregnancy. It is important to examine the fallopian tubes to rule out a tubal pregnancy.
Evaluate the nutritional status of the woman at
the first prenatal visit, including?
A diet history, measurement of height & weight, & screening for anemia by checking the hematocrit.
Be sure there is a balanced increase in calories & protein, since?
protein will be used for energy, rather than growth, unless sufficient calories are consumed.
Prepregnancy
Recommended Total Gain
Weight-for-Height Category
Low (BMI <19.8)
28–40 lbs
12.5–18 kgs