Pregnancy

Question 1

Which hormones are involved in pregnancy?

Answer 1

hCG
Progesterone
Oestrogen
Prolactin

Question 2

What is hCG?

Answer 2

Human chorionic gonadotropin

Question 3

What is significant about hCG?

Answer 3

It is the hormone that is measured in pregnancy tests

Question 4

What does hCG do?

Answer 4

Stimulates production of progesterone and oestrogen from ovaries

Supports corpus luteum

Question 5

What happens to hCG levels during pregnancy?

Answer 5

Increase at start

Levels drop once placenta is mature enough to take over oestrogen & progesterone secretion

Question 6

What does progesterone do during pregnancy?

Answer 6

Stimulates secretory activity and stromal oedema

Increases volume of blood vessels

Prevents uterine contractions & miscarriage

Question 7

Where is progesterone secreted from during pregnancy?

Answer 7

Corpus luteum
then
Placenta

Question 8

What does oestrogen do during pregnancy?

Answer 8

Regulates progesterone levels

Prepares uterus for implantation

Question 9

What does prolactin do?

Answer 9

Prevents ovulation and increases number of milk producing cells

Question 10

Where is prolactin produced?

Answer 10

Pituitary gland

Question 11

Give some maternal adaptations that occur during pregnancy?

Answer 11

Increase in cardiac output
Decrease in peripheral resistance
Reduced BP

Increase in uterine blood flow

Increased blood volume & increased RBC mass

Increased alveolar ventilation

Linea nigra (dark line down midline)
Striae gravidarum (stretch marks)

Lumbar lordosis (arching of spine)