Pregnancy and parturition Flashcards

1
Q

what is the purpose of the menstrual cycle?

A

promote growth of the lining of the womb so the lining of the womb proliferates and becomes receptive at the right time of ovulation, release of the egg to accept the egg whether or not it’s worth accepting or rejecting

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2
Q

what is the menstrual cycle ?

A

feedback system between hormone released from brain and lining of the womb so there is appropriate release of the egg. Through gonadotrophin luteinizing hormone-follicle stimulating hormone and surge in oestrogen-drives proliferation of lining for the womb.

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3
Q

once the egg is released what does the ovary become

A

corpus luteum

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4
Q

what hormone does the corpus luteum produce

A

progesterone

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5
Q

what happens after ovary becomes corpus luteum?

A

egg is released and fertilised over next few days it forms into a blastocyst-arrive in time for implantation so lining of the womb is prepared

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6
Q

After the blastocyst is formed where does it implant?

A

side of uterus and outer cell layer called syncytiotrophoblasts

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7
Q

what are syncytiotrophoblasts?

A

specialised layer of epithelial cells

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8
Q

function of syncytiotrophoblasts

A

This produces hormone called human chorionic gonadotrophin-copy of follicle stimulating hormone and luteinising hormone -tells ovary to keep producing progesterone and oestrogen for first 12 weeks

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9
Q

how can the womb collapse?

A

signal does not arrive -corpus luteum will cease, progesterone falls

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10
Q

what does progesterone do?

A

suppress mitral contractions through pregnancy

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11
Q

2 functions of progesterone

A

-essential for maintenance of pregnancy in all mammals.
-promotes formation of mucus plug in cervical canal-block the lower chamber ensuring it stays insulated from infection

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12
Q

what does oestrogen do?

A

responsible for growth of uterus, proliferation of uterine cells and increase in size and increase size of breasts

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13
Q

2 functions of oestrogen

A

making ductal structures-releasing milks once babies born
-preparing uterus, and cervix for labour by induction of pro-labour genes.

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14
Q

what hormone does the placenta directly make?

A

progesterone can be made directly in here by taking cholesterol and manufacture progesterone

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15
Q

how does the placenta make oestrogen?

A

for oestrogen it needs to take a substance which is coming from foetal adrenal cortex -produces precursor called dehydrated epi androstenedione sulphate(DHEA). It is then converted across placenta into maternal liver where it is de sulphated into DHEA which the placenta uses to make estrogen

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16
Q

foetal hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis

A

brain is growing, adrenal is growing

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17
Q

what hormone does the foetal hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis produce? (happens in feedback loop)

A

produce stress hormone-cortisol and drives change in body and gives important feedback and growth of baby.

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18
Q

stimulation of foetal pituitary releases what?

A

corticotrophin-which feeds back to adrenal to produce more cortisol- this is the feedback loop.

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19
Q

what are the 3 differences between maternal circulation and foetal circulation lead to ?

A

ability to exchange gases
-ability to exchange nutrients
-ability to enter into an endocrine dialogue between mother and baby- 2 organisms are connected.

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20
Q

what is the function of umbilical cord?

A

baby gets oxygen and all of its nutrients.

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21
Q

when would there not be gas exchange leading the baby to not breathe?

A

lungs when in amniotic fluid -when filled with fluid there is no gas exchange

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22
Q

Amniotic sac

A

important for creating a sterile environment

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23
Q

Onset of labour

A

is water breaking -the rupture of amniotic sac

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24
Q

what can cause pre term births

A

if amniotic sac breaks to soon

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25
Q

Corian

A

a membrane that surrounds a developing fetus in conjunction with the amnion

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26
Q

function of corian

A

exchange of blood and gases between mother and fetus and develops into the fetal aspect of the placenta

27
Q

Decidua

A

maternal uterine tissue

28
Q

function of decidua

A

direct connection between residual which is maternal component- stroma cells of endometrium changing throughout menstrual cycle and then underlying muscle or myometrium -direct connection of mother and baby.

29
Q

Gestation

A

quite environment where baby is growing

30
Q

Anterior pituitary

A

produce CRH which acts on adrenal gland to produce cortisol and DHEA this cross to maternal circulation where it’s converted into estrogen which then drives into uterus which are required to initiate onset of labour

31
Q

3 ways on how is onset of labour initiated?

A

uterus which are required to initiate onset of labour. This is done by:
-proteins and hormone receptors in wall of uterus
-oxytocin receptors
-gap junction- connect smooth muscle cells together so electrical potentials can fire down

32
Q

what increasing concentrations does the placenta start to produce?

A

CRH- corticotrophin releasing hormone

33
Q

What 3 things does the CRH being increased in the placenta lead to?

A

-more cortisol produced
-more DHS produced organ preparation
-maturation of the brain

34
Q

what does cortisol cause within foetal membrane and what does it produce

A

inflammation and prostaglandins

35
Q

Prostaglandins

A

act upon receptors that are changing within uterus and cause contractions and inflammation to happen and start to mature cervix. This ripens -allow baby to descend into birth canal then be expelled through process of active parturition.

36
Q

Parturition

A

expolsian of products of conception before 24 weeks

37
Q

spontaneous abortion

A

24 weeks

38
Q

term labour gestation

A

37-43-

39
Q

post labour gestation

A

42 weeks and more

40
Q

Phase 1-activation

A

feedback from estrogen drops driving changes in uterine wall which cause prostaglandin receptors, gap junctions, oxytocin receptors whilst starting to stimulate inflammatory reaction within lower pole of uterus bringing about the changes needed to go into active labour itself

41
Q

Phase 2-stimulation

A

uterus is stimulated by oxytocin and prostaglandins -causing changes in structure and behaviour of woman

42
Q

Phase 3- evolution

A

after baby is delivered placenta has to be delivered
placenta is size of a hand wound on side of uterus

43
Q

what will happen if the placenta is not delivered?

A

if not closed down blood stops from coming out -obstetric haemorrhage is cause -leads to loss of blood volume in 8 minutes

44
Q

what does mechanism do in phase 3

A

head engages into the cervix and baby turns during delivery process itself such as the anterior posterior the baby comes out through birth canal.

45
Q

Alternatives of pregnancy

A

caesarean section if baby is breech- head is wrong way round

46
Q

what happens during rapid labour?

A

cervix goes through dilation- where it’s completely thinned and its moved upwards + lower segment of womb-becomes passive segment and upper segment of uterus the fundus pushing and contracting to push baby down

47
Q

what are 3 things rapid labour ensures?

A

Baby’s head can engage properly
-head needs to descend into vaginal canal and engage properly so it can be pushed out
-ripening: big inflammatory reaction in cervix massive collagen analysis -breaking down structure of cervix

48
Q

what are 3 things that happens after rapid labour?

A

-change in external matric of foetal membranes-start to weaken -rupture then water breaks -failure of tissue integrity.
-labour is initiated by prostaglandins and inflammation down at the lower pole- baby is now large within the uterus.

49
Q

Placenta previa

A

placenta is down at the bottom

50
Q

what happens when the baby is ready to come out?

A

Inflammatory reaction down in lower pole of the uterus -starts to initiate cervical ripening- baby puts increasing tension and stretch on bottom lower pole of uterus.

51
Q

when the baby is ready to come out uterus causes increases in oxytocin receptors and prostaglandin receptors.What does prostaglandins receptors do?

A

allow contractions to happen forcefully and get the baby out

52
Q

if baby is ready to come out and everything is normal what does it initiate

A

Ferguson reflex- classic positive feedback loop

53
Q

process of feedback loop- sensory receptors in the cervix function

A

send signals back to part of the brain called nucleus structure solitary saying uterus is lower , uterus and cervix is being stretched, causes neurones to fire and release oxytocin into general circulation

54
Q

what does oxytocin do during labour?

A

contracts the uterus further -pushes baby in its birth canal which gives it an extra push to get it through the cervix.

55
Q

anterior shoulder

A

function of oxytocin concentration – increase in amount of oxytocin present in the plasma of these woman- this gives baby the extra kick to come out + prevents postpartum haemorrhage.

56
Q

how does oxytocin work to cause contractions?

A

Big increase in oxytocin receptors which are depicted and membrane in those smooth muscle cells and present in membrane of the mammary gland

57
Q

what does oxytocin release during breastfeeding?

A

release of milk

58
Q

what does oxytocin cause in uterus?

A

release inositol from plasma membrane via phospholipids

59
Q

IP3

A

second messenger in smooth muscle – releases calcium into cytosol – release of calcium stimulates a further calcium influx from outside and electrical potential fires it way across uterus cause more calcium entry and calcium into cytosol.

60
Q

what enzyme does calcium bind to?

A

calcium myosin light chain and myosin light chain kinase

61
Q

calcium myosin light chain and myosin light chain kinase function

A

causes muscle to contract – phosphorylated the myosin heads at the same time.
In parallel pathway: stimulates rhoa kinases-inhibit myosin light chain phosphortase. Both give forceful contraction to push the baby out.

62
Q

at 28-32 weeks baby’s physiology not ready for outside world babies need care from special baby uni, what 3 factors would this lead to?

A

increased risk of moderate severe long-term disability – breathing
-increased risk of stroke
-increased risk of gut problems

63
Q

3 examples of complications of preterm delivery

A

-bronchopulmonary dysplasia-lungs not ready
-pneumothorax-lungs collapsed
-necrotising enterocolitis- gut is not ready for the outside the world-for example not ready to provide any kind of sustenance(food or drink which a person needs to remain healthy) or taking in even milk.