Pregnancy and Foetal development Flashcards
what are the 3 key areas for foetal development?
- First trimester (0-12 weeks)
- Second trimester (13-28 weeks)
- Third trimester (29-40 weeks)
Why do we avoid scanning in the first trimester?
- This is when the foetus is most susceptible, as it developing as there’s a high chance it can cause genetic defects
What is the placenta and whats its use?
- An organ that attaches to the womb during pregnancy and acts as a mode of transport between the mother and baby.
- separates the baby’s blood supply from the mothers
- provides oxygen and nutrients to the baby
- Also removes waste from the baby’s blood
where is the placenta located?
- usually at the top of the uterus, closer to the back wall
but can also attach at the back, the front, the top or the bottom (placenta previa)
What is placental abruption?
This is where the placenta pulls away from the wall of the uterus.
What happens when placenta previa occurs and what causes it ?
- There is sometimes visible bleeding due to the placenta pulling away from the wall of the uterus (REVEALED ABRUPTION)
- other times where the middle part pulls away the blood may pool between the uterus and the placenta (CONCEALED ABRUPTION)
- might experience fake contractions, (pain in stomach)
- TRAUMA
- high blood pressure
What is placenta previa?
This is where the placenta attaches to the lower side of the uterus covering the cervix partially or fully
- more chance of getting it if you have had previous surgery to your uterus.
- and if mother smokes or drug abuse
what happens if there’s total placenta previa?
- It is better to bring mother in early so that there are induced and have a c-section as baby does not have a pathway to leave
- this is something that is recorded at the 20week scan
what is placenta accreta?
when the placenta does not attach to the lining of the uterus correctly
instead it attaches too deeply into the uterine wall
what modalities are used for pregnancy?
- ULTRASOUND
- CT
- MRI
- XRAY
