Pregnancy and Labor Flashcards
Introduction
o “Morning” sickness – Not everyone can get this
o Weight gain –
o Length of pregnancy: It can vary from 37 weeks to 42.
Growth in three areas
Uterus
Mammary Gland
Weight Gain
Mammary Glands grow because..
§ Grow as they prepare to feed a baby down the road
Weight gain happens because..
Due to enlargement of uterus/mammary glands, growing fetus and placenta (~20 lbs max), fluid accumulation, fat deposits
Effects on Digestive System
Morning sickness ·Heartburn : Stomach acid that gets into the esophagus causes heartburn. ·Constipation: The reason for this is due to the fact that the digestive system gets a lot more pressure put on it.
Effects on Cardiovascular System
Increased blood volume
Potential for varicose veins b/c of problems with venous circulation late in pregnancy: Exercising and wearing the proper socks can help with these types of veins.
Urinary Frequency, Why?
Because the urinary bladder is pressed up against the body.
Placenta Functions
HCG
Estrogens
Progesterone
Gas/Nutrients Exchange
Placenta Functions; Human Chorionic Gonadotropin
HCG
This will be at its highest at around 30 days, and it only made during initial development of the fetus. This is the first indicator in a pregnancy and can be used in a pregnancy test.
Placenta Functions; Progesterone
Estrogen and Progesterone sky rocket once someone becomes pregnant.
Partruition (Labor)
Expulsion of infant from mother’s body
False Labor
(Braxton Hicks contractions)
§ Irregular
§ Do not progress
True Labor
§ Contractions at regular intervals
§ Pain intensifies
Initiated and maintained by oxytocin
True Labor (2); Initiated and maintained by oxytocin
Pressure on cervix from fetal head Stimulates posterior pituitary to secrete oxytocin Stimulates contraction of uterine smooth muscle Pushes fetus towards cervix
And repeat…
Pregnancy Steps (1)
Estradiol from the placenta readies the uterus for a response to oxytocin
Pregnancy Steps (2)
The fetus’s head pushing against the cervix acivates stretch-sensitive sensory neurons that send stimulatory signals to the mothers hypothalamus
Pregnancy Steps (3)
The hhypothalamus stimulates secretion of oxytocin from the posterior pituitary gland
Pregnancy Steps (4)
Oxytocin stimulates stronger uterine contractions
Pregnancy Steps (5)
Prostaglandins sescreted by the uterus also enhance contractions. Sensory input to the hypothalamus is further enhanced by contractions
Prior to Labor
- Baby Drop’s
- False Contraction
- Cervix Softens
- Water Breaks - Sometimes
Baby “Drops”
When the head actually drops into the true pelvis, that is the difference that gives a little room at the top
Cervix Softens
It will become softer during labor because it will need to move out of the way during labor.
Water Breaks - Sometimes
A lot of people will be in labor for sometime before their water even breaks.
Labor Stages (1)
Dilation stage: start having regular contractions – fully dilated cervix (typically 6-12 hrs.) :Sometimes it can be two days, maybe in 20 minutes?
Labor Stages (1) - Early Labor
cervix gradually effaces and dilates (to about 4 cm). :It has to efface or else the baby will not fit through the cervix.
Labor Stages (1) - Active Labor
contractions longer, stronger, and closer together (4-10cm)
Labor Stages (1) - Transition Labor
end of active labor (CRAZY contractions) (usually 8-10cm)
Labor Stages (2)
Expulsion stage: fully dilated – birth of baby (“pushing stage”)
§ May take hours to minutes
Labor Stages (3)
after birth – delivery of placenta
§ Generally 5-30 minutes after delivery of baby
§ Placenta sometimes called “afterbirth”
Changes in Mother after Pregnancy
Loss of Excess Fluids
Lactation
Contraction/Shrinkage of Uterus
Hormonal Changes
Changes in Mother after Pregnancy; Loss of Excess Fluid
- Expulsion of amniotic fluid during birth
- More frequent copious urination
- Increased sweating
- Discharge of lochia
Discharge of Lochia
Lochia = postpartum bleeding (similar to a period, but much heavier!)
Lasts 2-3 weeks (or even more for some!)
§ All of the uterine tissues (and associated blood) that was built up to support the pregnancy must be broken down & expelled: The reason behind this is due to 40 weeks of material being built up in order to support the child.
Changes in Mother after Pregnancy; Lactation
(production of breastmilk by mammary glands)
- Increased levels of prolactin = Allows milk to be secreted
- When baby suckles, posterior pituitary is stimulated to secrete oxytocin.
Changes in Mother after Pregnancy; Contraction/Shrinkage of Uterus
- Within ~6 weeks, uterus shrinks to near pre-pregnancy size
- Uterine contractions help with this. These contractions may be painful (“afterpains”).
- Oxytocin also helps with this process:
Changes in Mother after Pregnancy; Hormonal Changes (1)
- Pregnancy = increase in estrogens & progesterones necessary to maintain and increase uterine lining
- Within 3 days AFTER pregnancy, these levels drop dramatically.
Changes in Mother after Pregnancy; Hormonal Changes (2)
- Within 1 week after birth, prolactin levels rise
§Oxytocin also increased during nursing - These hormone changes are believed to contribute to “baby blues” or the more serious “post-partum depression”
