Physiology L1 - Pregnant and Nursing Patient Flashcards
Shortly after fertilisation and implantation, begins the formation of what?
Placenta and amniotic sac
Hormones secreted by the placental play a critical role in maintaining pregnancy what are the names of these hormones?
hCG, oestrogen and progesterone
the process or period of developing inside the womb between conception and birth is known as?
Gestation
The action of giving birth to a young is known as?
Parturition
Parturition is accomplished by a positive-feedback cycle? What two factors facilitate the feedback system?
Stages of labour and uterine involution
What is the name given to a fertilised egg?
Zygote
As ovulation occurs, this releases what into the fallopian tube?
Oocyte
Once fertilisation has occurred what is produced?
Zygote
The division of the cells in the zygote is known as what?
Cleavage
How many cells are present for the formation of a morula?
16 cells
A morula is formed after how many days
4
When the fertilised egg exceeds 32+ cells, it is known as a?
Blastocyst
A blastocyst is formed after how many days
5 days
Implantation occurs after how many days
7 days
A cross section of a blastocyst shows inner cell mass and trophoblast, what are the function of them?
Inner cell mass – destined to become foetus
Trophoblast accomplishes implantation and develops into foetal portion of placenta
What are the 3 functions of the placenta?
Kidney
Digestive system
Respiratory system
The placenta becomes a temporary endocrine organ during pregnancy. During pregnancy three endocrine systems interact to support and enhance the growth and development of the foetus. What is the names of these hormones?
Placental hormones
Maternal hormones
Foetal hormones
What are the three most important placental hormones?
Human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG)
Oestrogen
Progesterone
Is the secretion of hormones from the placenta subject to extrinsic control?
no
What determines the type and rate of placental hormone secretion depend on?
Primarily on the stage of pregnancy.
What is the name of the hormone that acts to prolong the life span of the corpus luteum?
Human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG)
Maintenance of a normal pregnancy depends on high concentrations of what hormones?
oestrogen and progesterone
maintenance of the thick, pulpy endometrial tissue is down to what?
Persistence of oestrogen and progesterone
In a male foetus, hCG stimulates precursor Leydig cells in the foetal testes to secrete which hormone and what function does it carry out?
testosterone, which masculinises the developing reproductive tract.
Where is hCG eliminated?
In the urine
Which hormone does pregnancy test detect?
hCG
Why doesn’t the placenta secrete oestrogen in the first place instead of secreting hCG, which in turn stimulates the corpus luteum to secrete this hormone (and progesterone)?
The placenta does not have all the enzymes needed for oestrogen synthesis in the first trimester.
Oestrogen synthesis requires a complex interaction between the placenta and the foetus
The placenta can synthesise the hormone progesterone, however the amount of progesterone is proportional to placental weight. During which period do we see placental growth?
Placental growth increases during the last 7 months of gestation due to the increase in circulating progesterone.
Which trimester begins on the first day of your last period and lasts until the end of week 12?
1st trimester
Which trimester is from weeks 13 to week 28?
2nd trimester
Which trimester lasts from 28 weeks of pregnancy, until you give birth?
3rd trimester
Which hormone is responsible for the growth of the myometrium (needed to expel the foetus during labour) and promotes the development of mammary gland ducts?
oestrogen
Which hormone is responsible for supressing contractions of the uterine myometrium (prevents miscarriage), formation of a mucus plug in the cervical canal and the development of the milk glands?
progesterone
Parturition (labour) requires what two things to happen?
Dilation of the cervical canal and contractions of the uterine myometrium.
What is defined as a breech birth?
In a breech birth, any part of the body other than the head approaches the birth canal first
Involution is known as the shrinkage of the uterus, which takes 4-6 weeks. What factors help aid in involution?
Fall in oestrogen and progesterone when the placenta is lost and the release of oxytocin which promotes myometrial contractions that help uterine muscle tone. Oxytocin is released through breastfeeding.
What is the function of prolactin?
induce the synthesis of enzymes needed for milk production.
Suckling triggers a neuroendocrine reflex that leads to secretion of what?
Prolactin and oxytocin
Colostrum, the milk produced in the first 5 days after delivery, contains lower concentrations of fat and lactose but higher concentrations of what?
Immunoprotective agents
