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Reproduction > Physiology of pregnancy > Flashcards

Physiology of pregnancy Flashcards

1
Q

What are the main stages of development from fertilisation to implantation?

A 
Fertilisation
cleavage 
Morula
Blastocyst
implantation
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2
Q

What cells are responsible for implantation?

A

Trophoblastic cells

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3
Q

What are trophoblastic cells?

A

Surface layer cells of the blastocyst which penetrate the endometrium for implantation.

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4
Q

What is the role of the fimbrae?

A

Sweep ovum into the oviduct

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5
Q

Where does fertilisation occur?

A

Ampulla

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6
Q

When does the blastocyst enter the uterus?

A

Days 3-5

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7
Q

When does the blastocyst attach to the uterus?

A

Days 5-8

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8
Q

By what day is implantation usually complete?

A

Day 12

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9
Q

What tissue is placenta derived from?

A

Trophoblast and Decidual

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10
Q

What are synctiotrophoblasts?

A

Multinucleated cells which have differentiated from trophoblast cells.

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11
Q

What is the role of synctiotrophoblasts.

A

They break down capillaries to form cavities filled with maternal blood - these projections later form the placental villi

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12
Q

The foetal and maternal blood mixes. True/False

A

False.
Each villus contains maternal and foetal blood which is separated by a thin tissue - therefore there is no direct contact between the two.

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13
Q

When does the placenta (and foetal heart) become functional?

A

Week 5

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14
Q

What is the role of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin?

A

Signals the corpus luteum to continue secreting progesterone

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15
Q

What hormone stimulates decidual cells to concentrate glycogen, lipids and proteins?

A

Progesterone

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16
Q

How is placental surface area increased?

A

Through villi projections into the uterine wall/

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17
Q

What is the intervillous space?

A

The area where maternal blood is kept.

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18
Q

What three factors aid foetal oxygen supply?

A

Foetal Hb has increased ability to carry O2
Higher Hb concentration (50% more in foetus)
Bohr effect - can carry more O2 in a low pCO2

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19
Q

How are nutrients and waste products transported across the placenta?

A 
Passive transport
Simple diffusion
Osmosis
Active transport
Simplified transport
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20
Q

Water exchange increases during pregnancy. True/false?

A

True.

Increases up until the 35th week

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21
Q

How does glucose pass the placenta?

A

Simplified transport

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22
Q

How does fatty acid cross placenta?

A

Free diffusion

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23
Q

In what trimester is there a higher demand for glucose?

A

Third

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24
Q

What is the term given to drugs which can cross the placental barrier and cause foetal malformation?

A

Teratogens

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25
What hormone is responsible for growth, and is produced from week 5 onwards?
Human chorionic somatomammotropin | HCS
26
What hormone acts to aid development of male testes?
HCG
27
What hormone is involved in breast development?
HCS
28
What effect can human chorionic somatomammotropin have on the mother?
Decreases insulin sensitivity to allow for more glucose transport to foetus
29
What hormone is an indicator of foetal vitality?
Estriol
30
List three things progesterone increase causes?
Development of decidual cells Decreased uterine contractility Preparation for lactation
31
List three things increased oestrogen levels cause?
Enlargement of uterus Breast development Relaxation of ligaments
32
What hormone, released by the placenta can lead to gestational diabetes, an how?
Corticotrophin releasing hormone (CRH) CRH --> ACTH --> Aldosterone and Cortisol These hormones lead to hypertension and insulin resistance
33
What hormones released by the placenta can lead to hyperthyroidism in the mother?
HCG | HC thyrotropin
34
How does increased calcium demand in the placenta affect the mother?
Can lead to hyperparathyroidism
35
What happens to cardiac output during pregnancy?
It increases | between 30-50% increase
36
What happens to the BP during pregnancy?
Drops during second trimester
37
When does cardiac output decrease?
Last 8 weeks | uterus is compressing vena cava
38
What happens to cardiac output during labour?
Increases 30%
39
What happens to the heart rate during pregnancy
Increases | Reaches about 90bpm at rest
40
What three cardiac abnormalities are considered normal changes during pregnancy
ECG changes Murmurs Additional heart sounds
41
In twins BP increases, true or false?
False. | BP drops even more in a multiple pregnancy
42
What three haematological changes occur during pregnancy?
Plasma Volume increases Hb is decreased by dilution RBC's increase 25%
43
What supplementation is required during pregnancy?
Iron
44
What two things cause lung function changes?
Uterus enlargement | Progesterone increasing
45
How does progesterone cause respiratory changes?
Signals brain to lower CO2 levels and increases CO2 sensitivity in resp centres
46
What four changes occur in the urinary system during pregnancy?
Increased GFR Increase Renal plasma flow Increased reabsorption of ions and H2O Increase in urine formation
47
How many extra calories should a pregnant woman consume?
250-300
48
When is the mothers anabolic phase?
Weeks 1 - 20`
49
When does metabolic demands of the foetus increase? (catabolic phase)
Weeks 21 - 40 Accelerated starvation of mother can occur
50
In what phase does insulin resistance in the mother occur
Catabolic
51
List four supplements required during pregnancy:
Iron Folic acid Vit D Vit B
52
What hormone, released from posterior pituitary gland, increases contractions and excitability during labour?
Oxytocin
53
What positive feedback mechanism increases contractility?
Foetal head stretching the cervix | also leads to oxytocin release
54
What does oxytocin stimulate?
Uterine contractions | Prostaglandin release
55
What hormone causes growth of the ductile system?
Oestrogen
56
What hormone causes the development of lobule-alveolar system?
Progesterone
57
What hormone simulates milk production?
Prolactin
58
What hormones inhibit milk production?
Oestrogen | Progesterone
59
At what stage of pregnancy do the nipples darken and enlarge?
12 weeks
60
At what point during pregnancy does lower back pain become a problem?
The third trimester
61
At what stage during pregnancy are foetal movements felt by the mother?
Primigravida - 20 weeks | Not their first pregnancy - 16-18 weeks

Reproduction (19 decks)

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