Pregnancy Flashcards
Zygote
The new cell that is created after fertilisation
Blastocyst
A cluster of cells in which some cell differentiation has occurred
Endometrium
The lining of the uterus wall
Chorion
The membrane surrounding the foetus that contributes to the formation of the placenta
Neonate
An infant less then 4 weeks old
Apgar scale
As assessment of how a baby is doing at birth
Fontanelles
A space between the bones of the skull in an infants head
Mortality
Number of deaths
Prevalence
The number of cases of a particular disease present in a population at a given time
Incidence
The number of new cases of a disease in a population during a given period
Pregnancy stages
germinal, Embryonic, foetal
Germinal stage timing
Fertilisation- plantation (0-2 weeks)
Germinal stage features
Ovulation- intercourse- fertilisation- mitosis- implantation
Embryonic stage timing
Implantation- 8th week (3-8 weeks)
Embryonic stage features
Characterised by cell differentiation and its the critical stage.
Most organs and system are formed (brain, spinal cord, neural tube ).
Limbs finger and toes develop
Differentiation
Cells become different cells, some become the placenta, others become the embryo- heart skin or bone cells
Embryonic stage risks
Teratogens such as alcohol, drugs, medicine or smoking
Teratogen
Am atmospheric pollutant that can cause birth defects such as rubella
Foetal stage timing
9th week til birth (9-40 weeks )
Foetal stage features
Rapid growth. All organs and systems are formed, sex organs begin to take place (15 week), movement occurs and the senses begin to function (25th weeks)
Maturation
Unfolding of genetic potentials
Placenta
Connects the foetus to the uterine wall of the mother, providing the foetus with nutrients and oxygen and removing its waste products
Stages of labour
Labour, birth, placenta
Labour
Water breaks- contractions occur- dilation of the cervix occurs. LONGEST STAGE (8-12 hours)
Birth
Foetus moves through the birth canal and the mum assists my pushing. Once the baby comes out the umbilical cord is cut
Placenta
To remove the placenta a few contractions occur and it dislodges from the uterus
Health issues
Maternal mortality, foetal mortality, prenatal morbidity and maternal morbidity
Maternal mortality
The deaths among women who are pregnant where the cause of death is attributed to the pregnancy itself. Causes are cardiovascular conditions and haemorrhage(dont Always lead to death)
Prenatal morbidity
Conditions that may be diagnosed in unborn babies include neural tube defects and Down syndrome
Neural tube defects
A group of conditions that occur when the neural tube doesn’t fuse completely.
Spina bifida, anencephaly, encephalocele
NTD- Spina bifida
Occurs when part of the neural tube fails to fuse. The bones the develop into the spine are unable to form properly, leading to an opening in part of the spine
Anencephaly
When the neural tube doesn’t close at the head and the top part of the brain, skull and scalp are missing
Encephalocele
When part of the brain is pushed through an opening in the skull
Down syndrome
Condition cause by a chromosomal abnormality. An extra chromosome produces a number of symptoms including slant of the eyes, flat round face, smaller and slow intellectual development
Maternal morbidity
Gestational diabetes, mental health, pre-eclampsia and ectopic pregnancy
Gestational diabetes
Characterised by blood glucose levels. Starts during pregnancy and results from the body’s impaired ability to metabolise blood glucose
Mental health
Depression has usually been associated with the period after birth
Pre-eclampsia
Disorder of pregnancy characterised by hypertension, protein in the urine and fluid retention. Leading to swollen hands, feet and face
Ectopic pregnancy
When the embryo implants itself somewhere in the mothers reproductive system other then the uterus
Foetal mortality
The death of babies over 20 weeks gestation or weighing at least 400 grams. Congenital abnormalities, unexplained antepartum death, spontaneous preterm births and maternal conditions
Congenital abnormalities
Result from missing or I’ll formed body structures (birth defects)
Unexplained antepartum births
Babies who show no signs of life
Spontaneous preterm births
When labour begins without medical intervention between the 20th and 37th week of pregnancy
Maternal conditions
I’ll health of the mother that contributes to the death of the foetus
Health issues of Australian women and their unborn babies
Genetics, maternal nutrition, maternal vaccination and alcohol consumption
Genetics
Genetics play the most significant role in the health and development of unborn babies because it determines everything about them. 50% from mum 50% from dad
Maternal nutrition
Important because it prepares the mothers body to support new life. Women need to consume a well balanced diet to meet their own needs and their babies needs
Folate
Protects against neural tube defects
Iodine
Important for healthy development of the brain and nervous system
Iron
Needed for haemoglobin that carries oxygen around the body
Calcium
Required for the formation of the teeth and bones
Maternal vaccination
Vaccinations help protect a women and her unborn baby from a number of diseases such as rubella, chickenpox and mumps
Alcohol consumption
Alcohol crosses the placenta and can be detrimental to foetal health. Alcohol consu,prion can lead to LBW, CNS damage, mental retardation or face abnormalities
Trimester
The pregnancy period divides by 3
LBW
Babies born less then 2.5kg
Foetal mortality trend
In 2012, the foetal death rate per 1000 total births ranged from 6.4 for babies of mothers aged 25-29
NTD trend
There has been a small decline in overall prevalence of NTDs per 10000 births between 1998 and 2008
Maternal mortality
Between 2006-2010 maternal mortality rates for aboriginal and Torres Strait islanders were more then 3 times as high for other women
