Perinatal Adaptation Flashcards
What are the functions of the placenta?
Foetal homeostasis Gas exchange Nutrition transport Waste product transport Acid-base balance Hormone production Transport of IgG
What does the placenta ultimately prepare the baby for?
Delivery
What are the three shunts present in the foetal circulation?
Ductus venosus, foramen ovale, ductus arteriosus
What should happen to all three shunts in the foetal circulation after the baby is born?
They should close
How much of the foetal output goes to the lungs?
Only 7%
What shunt does oxygenated blood pass through when it is passing from the liver to the heart?
Ductus venosus
What does the foramen ovale allow?
Allows blood to pass from the right ventricle to the left ventricle
Why does very little blood go to the right ventricle in the foetal circulation?
The lungs are not fully developed yet so blood is not oxygenated there
What shunt does blood pass through when going to the foetal lungs?
The ductus arteriosus
Why is the foetus in a more hypoxic state than the delivered baby?
Oxygenated and deoxygenated blood is mixed in the foetal circulation
How does the baby prepare for being born during the third trimester?
Produces surfactant
Accumulates subcutaneous fat, glycogen and brown fat
Swallowing amniotic fluid
Where does brown fat accumulate in a baby?
Between the scapulae and around the internal organs
What purpose does swallowing the amniotic fluid serve?
Helps to grow and expand the lungs
What occurs in the foetus during the onset of labour?
There are increased catecholamines and cortisol
When does synthesis of fluid stop in the foetus?
Once labour has commenced and the baby is being delivered
How does vaginal delivery help the lungs adapt?
Squeezes the lungs = gets rid of 30% of 100ml lung content
How does the baby get rid of 70% of the fluid in its lungs after it is born?
By crying
What does a baby do in the first seconds after it is born?
Baby is blue, starts to breathe, begins to cry, gradually turns pink, cord is cut (usually delayed for 1 min)
What happens to vascular resistance once the baby is born?
Pulmonary vascular resistance drops and systemic vascular resistance rises
What circulatory changes occur once a baby is born?
Circulating prostaglandins drop
Duct constricts and foramen ovale closes
What causes the foetal ducts to closes after birth?
pO2 increases
Flow and prostaglandins decrease
What happens to the foetal shunts after birth?
Foramen ovale = closes or persists (10%)
Ductus arteriosus = become ligamentum arteriosus (rarely persists)
Ductus venosus = becomes ligamentum teres