pregnancy and labor

Question 1

what might be the cause of morning sickness?

Answer 1

placental development

Question 2

what is the ideal amount of weight gain during pregnancy?

Answer 2

25-35 lbs could vary

Question 3

what is the length of pregnancy?

Answer 3

40 weeks from last period or 38 weeks from conception

Question 4

where does growth occur during pregnancy?

Answer 4

uterus, mammary glands, weight

Question 5

why does weight gain occur during pregnacy?

Answer 5

due to enlargement of uterus/mammary glands, growing fetus and placenta (20 lbs max), fluid accumulation, fat deposits

Question 6

what effect does pregnancy have on the digestive system?

Answer 6

morning sickness, heartburn, constipation

Question 7

why does pregnancy cause constipation?

Answer 7

because the uterus may press or block part of the GI tract leading to a slowing of movement through the tract

Question 8

what effect does pregnancy have on the cardiovascular system?

Answer 8

increased blood volume which has potential to lead to varicose veins

Question 9

what are some basic non-surgical ways to help varicose veins?

Answer 9

wear maternity hose or compression socks
avoid long periods of standing
put your feet up several times a day
avoid sitting with your legs crossed

Question 10

why do pregnant women have to pee frequently?

Answer 10

the uterus is pressing on the urinary bladder

Question 11

a temporary organ of half fetal tissue and half maternal tissue

Answer 11

placenta

Question 12

what are the functions of the placenta?

Answer 12

gas/nutrient exchange
secretes hormones:
hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin)
estrogen
progesterone

Question 13

what is the function of hCG?

Answer 13

it is picked up by urine during pregnancy test; acts on corpus luteum to keep it producing progesterone so it doesn’t degenerate when its ready, the placenta will take over producing hormones

Question 14

expulsion of infant from mother’s body

Answer 14

parturition (labor)

Question 15

irregular do not progress

Answer 15

false labor (Braxton-Hicks contractions or practice contractions)

Question 16

contractions at regular intervals
pain intensifies
initiated and maintained by oxytocin

Answer 16

true labor

Question 17

initiated and maintained by oxytocin
pressure on cervix from fetal head, stimulates posterior pituitary to release oxytocin, stimulates contraction of uterine smooth muscle, pushes fetus toward cervix, and cycle repeats
what would this be an example of?

Answer 17

positive feedback loop

Question 18

baby drops (moves, “engages” down into true pelvis)
increased Braxton-Hicks contractions
cervix softens - loss of mucus plug
“water” breaks (sometimes)

Answer 18

prior to labor

Question 19

what are the three stages of labor?

Answer 19

dilation, expulsion, placental

Question 20

start of regular contractions to fully dilated cervix; typically 6-12 hours (may be much longer)
early labor,active labor, and transition labor occur during this stage

Answer 20

dilation stage

Question 21

cervix gradually becomes effaced and dilates (to about 4 cm)

Answer 21

early labor

Question 22

thinning of cervix

Answer 22

effacement

Question 23

opening of cervix os (lumen)

Answer 23

dilation

Question 24

contractions longer, stronger, and closer together (4-10 cm)

Answer 24

active labor

Question 25

end of active labor (extreme contractions) (usually 8-10 cm)

Answer 25

transition labor

Question 26

fully dilated to birth of baby (“pushing stage”)
may take hours to minutes

Answer 26

expulsion stage

Question 27

end of birth to delivery of placenta
generally 5-30 minutes after delivery of baby
placenta sometimes called “afterbirth”

Answer 27

placental stage

Question 28

excessive bleeding following delivery

Answer 28

post-partum hemorrhage

Question 29

what are some of the common causes of post-partum hemorrhage?

Answer 29

retaining part of placenta
uncontracted uterus (uterus must contract to “clamp down” on blood vessels that used to go to the placenta)

Question 30

expulsion of amniotic fluid during birth
more frequent, copious urination
increased sweating
discharge of lochia
lactation

Answer 30

loss of excess fluids after pregnancy

Question 31

postpartum bleeding; normal (similar to period but much heavier)
lasts 2-3 weeks (or even more for some)
all of the uterine tissues (and blood stored within) that was built up to support the pregnancy must be broken down and expelled

Answer 31

lochia

Question 32

production of breastmilk by mammary glands
increased levels of prolactin lead to milk production
when the baby suckles, posterior pituitary is stimulated to release oxytocin, this causes milk release

Answer 32

lactation

Question 33

within 6 weeks, uterus shrinks to near pre-pregnancy size
uterine contractions help with this. these contractions may be painful (afterpains) especially when breastfeeding
oxytocin also helps with this process (stimulates smooth muscle contraction)

Answer 33

contraction/shrinkage of uterus

Question 34

pregnancy = increase in estrogen and progesterone necessary to maintain and increase uterine lining
within 3 days after birth, these levels drop dramatically
within 1 week after birth, prolactin levels rise; oxytocin also increases during nursing

Answer 34

hormonal changes

Question 35

what percent of women will have postpartum blues in first 2 weeks?

Answer 35

50-85%

Question 36

what percent of women will have postpartum depression within their first year?

Answer 36

13%

Question 37

irritability, anxiety, increased emotional reactivity

Answer 37

postpartum blues

Question 38

excessive guilt, anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, and fatigue

Answer 38

postpartum depression

Question 39

excessive guilt, anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, and fatigue

Answer 39

postpartum depression

Question 40

__________________ are believed to contribute to postpartum blues and postpartum depression

Answer 40

hormonal changes