Pregnancy Physiology Flashcards
What are the anatomic and physiologic changes during pregnancy?
Changes include increased heart rate, blood volume, plasma volume, red cell mass, WBC, cardiac output, stroke volume, and decreased SVR, HCT, colloid oncotic pressure, and diastolic blood pressure.
These changes support the increased metabolic demands during pregnancy.
List 5 risk factor categories for a pregnant woman.
- Obstetrical history
- Medical history
- Current obstetrical conditions
- Psychosocial factors
- Substance use disorder
Identify 3 maternal and/or fetal assessments done during the prenatal period.
- CBC to assess blood health
- Urinalysis to screen for infections
- Ultrasound to evaluate fetal development and health
What are the nutritional recommendations during pregnancy?
- Increased protein intake to 80 g/day
- 300 additional calories/day
- Increased iron intake to 27 g/day
- Increased folate consumption to 600 mcg/day
True or False: During pregnancy, there is an increased tidal volume.
True
This reflects the body’s increased demand for oxygen.
What increases in renal physiology during pregnancy?
- Creatinine clearance
- Urea
- Uric acid
- Glucose
- GFR
- Renal plasma flow
- Frequency of urination
- Incidence of UTIs
What decreases in renal physiology during pregnancy?
- Serum creatinine
- BUN
Fill in the blank: The first trimester of pregnancy lasts from week ____ to week _____.
[1] to [12]
What is the frequency of prenatal visits from the onset of care to 28 weeks?
Every 4 weeks
What occurs to GI tone during pregnancy?
Decreased
This may contribute to symptoms like constipation.
What is the significance of GTPAL in obstetrical history?
GTPAL provides a detailed account of a woman’s pregnancy history, including Gravida (total pregnancies), Term births, Preterm births, Abortions, and Living children.
What are some common psychosocial risk factors during pregnancy?
- Inadequate finances
- Poor housing
- Lack of social support
- Domestic violence
- Substance abuse
What is the purpose of prenatal testing?
To assess fetal health and development, and to identify potential genetic or congenital disorders.
What is the typical gestational age for amniocentesis?
15-20 weeks
What is the recommended weight gain for someone with a BMI over 29 during pregnancy?
15 lbs
Fill in the blank: The average length of pregnancy is ____ weeks.
[40]
What are common symptoms in the gastrointestinal system during pregnancy?
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Constipation
- Gastric reflux
- Gallstones
What is the impact of excessive weight gain during pregnancy?
- Macrosomia
- Cesarean section
- Postpartum weight retention
What does the term ‘hypercoagulable state’ refer to in pregnancy?
An increased tendency for blood clotting, which occurs during pregnancy.
What happens to the diaphragm during pregnancy?
It elevates.
What are the trimesters of pregnancy defined as?
- First trimester: Weeks 1-12
- Second trimester: Weeks 13-27
- Third trimester: Weeks 28-40
What is the predictive value of risk assessment tools in obstetrics?
Limited; 1/3 of complications occur during the intrapartum period and cannot be predicted.
What is the significance of the ‘quickening’ in pregnancy?
It is the first noticeable fetal movement, used for pregnancy dating.
True or False: Maternal anemia is a current obstetrical condition that can affect pregnancy.
True
What is a common dietary risk factor for pregnant women?
Substance use/abuse
This can lead to complications like IUGR and miscarriage.
What is the goal of prenatal care?
Risk assessment, ongoing maternal-fetal assessments, education, and support.
What is the importance of fetal surveillance?
To monitor fetal well-being and detect potential issues early.
What are common questions asked during prenatal visits?
- Travel
- Work
- Exercise
- Dental care
What does the term ‘striae gravidarum’ refer to?
Stretch marks that occur during pregnancy.
