Pregnancy as a transition

Question 1

What are the subjective signs of pregnancy? (secondary sources of information)

Answer 1

amenorrhea (cessation of menstrual cycle)
nausea/vomiting
fatigue
frequency (urination, contractions)
breast changes
quickening

Question 2

What are objective signs of pregnancy?

Answer 2

goodell’s sign - softening of the cervix

chadwick’s sign - bluish/red cervix, vagina, and vulva

McDonald’s sign: flexing of body of uterus

enlargement of uterus/abdomen

Braxton hicks

Uterine soufflé - sound of blood flowing through placenta

fetal outline

ballottement (baby will go up then down when pushed on)

pregnancy tests

Question 3

How is EDD (expected date of birth) calculated?

Answer 3

with Nagele’s rule

first day of last menstral cycle period - 3 months +7 days

Question 4

Why is prenatal care important?

Answer 4

early diagnosis
recognition of problems
provide info, resources, and referrals

Question 5

What tests are done in 2nd and 3rd semesters?

Answer 5

Hemoglobin levels

glucose screen for gestational diabetes

ultrasound: checks for defects and measures the thickness of the neck to indicate downs, cardiac anomalies, and chromosomal problems

Blood type test

Rubella status (antibodies to mumps)

Hep b and HIV testing

group B streptococcus - vag swab

urinalysis for protein, sugar, blood

Question 6

What are some discomforts experienced in the first trimester?

Answer 6

nausea and vomiting
urinary frequency (inc pressure of uterus)
fatigue
breast tenderness (inc in estrogen)
inc vaginal discharge (inc mucous production)
nasal stuffiness/nosebleed (elevated estrogen)
ptyalism (excessive salivation)