Pregnancy Flashcards
Presumptive signs of pregnancy
Changes felt by the woman (breast, no period, N/V, urinary freq, fatigue, “flutters”)
Probable signs of pregnancy
Changes observed by an examiner (goodell sign, chadwick sign, hear sign, positive test, braxton hicks contractions)
Goodell sign
Softening of the cervix
Chadwick sign
Bluish discoloration of the cervix
Hegar Sign
Softening of the uterine isthmus
Braxton Hicks contractions
Myomas and other tumors
Positive signs of pregnancy
Changes attributed only to the fetus (visualization of fetus, fetal heart tones on doppler, fetal movements palpated or visible)
Where is the fundus at 22-24 weeks gestation?
At the level of the umbilicus
Where is the fundus at term?
At the level of the xiphoid process
What is used as an estimate for the duration of pregnancy?
Fundus Height
Cervial changes during pregnancy
Multipara (oval), nullipara (rounded), increased vascularity, goodell sign
Vaginal changes during pregnancy
Mucosa thickens and connective tissue loosens in prep for delivery, chadwick sign, mucous plug (operculum) barrier against bacteria, secretions are more acidic
Breast changes during pregnancy
Enlargement, sensitivity, tingling, heaviness in response to increased estrogen and progesterone, nipples and areolae become more pigmented, sebaceous glands might be visible (montgomery tubercles), blood vessels are more visible, stretch marks may appear, colostrum
Striae gravidarum
Stretch marks
Cardiovascular changes during pregnancy
Blood volume increases by 40-50%, cardiac output increases, slight cardiac enlargement as a result of increased blood volume and output, increase in fibrinogen and factors VII VIII IX and X
Pulse increase during preg
Between 14-20 weeks and persists to term
BP decrease/increase during preg
Decreases during 1st trimester, continues to drop until 24-30 weeks, gradually increases and returns to prepreg levels by term
Respiratory changes during preg
Ligaments of the rib cage relax as a result of estrogen, diaphragm is displaced, chest breathing replaces abdominal breathing, decreased tolerance for apnea and hypovent, upper respiratory tract becomes more vascular as a result of elevated levels of estrogen (sinus stuffiness and nosebleeds)
Renal changes during preg
Larger volume of urine is held and urine flow is slow due to ureteral obstruction, increased risk of UTI bc pressure by gravid uterus on ureters and increased blood flow to kidneys
Pressure on bladder during preg
Pressure during 1st, symptoms decrease during 2nd, presenting part descends in 3rd and symptoms increase
Integumentary changes during preg
Hyperpigmentation (nipples, areolae, axillae, vulva), stretch marks and linea nigra, palmar erythema, mild itching, angiomas (vascular spiders) of neck, thorax, face, arms, facial melasma (chloasma or mask of preg) blotchy, brownish, hyperpig of skin over cheeks, nose, and forehead
Musculoskeletal changes during preg
Increasing weight of the fetus causes the mother’s posture to change, center of gravity shifts forward, extra strain on muscles, ligaments and joints in the lower back
GI changes during preg
N/V proportional to hCG levels and decreases in the second and third trimesters, delayed gastric emptying bc decreased peristalsis, hemorrhoids bc constipation and pressure on vessels, emptying time of gallbladder decreases may lead to stones, cardiac sphincter relaxes so HB, anesthesia should always assume a full stomach