Pregnancy Physiology Flashcards

1
Q

Delivery is considered normal any time between __ and __ weeks ?

A

37 and 42 weeks

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Pregnancy lasts for __ weeks?

A

40

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Where does fertilisation occur?

A

Ampulla of the uterine tube (at day 1)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

The fertilised egg differentiates whilst it is moving to implantation site. What are the different fertilised egg states?

A

Cleavage
Morula
Blastocyst

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

At what day does the blastocyst reach uterus?

A

day 4-5

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Where and when does implantation occur?

A

Uterine lining in the uterus (at day 5-8)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What happens during implantation?

A

Trophoblastic cells in the blastocyst tunnel deep into the uterine lining (endometrium) they are attached to, carving out a hole for the blastocyst

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

At what day is implantation finished?

A

Day 12

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Inner cells of the blastocyst

A

Develop into the embryo

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Outer cells of the blastocyst

A

Burrow into the uterine wall and become the placenta

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Fertilisation occurs at day ?

A

1

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

When is the first trimester complete

A

13 weeks

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

When is the second trimester complete?

A

28 weeks

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

When is the third trimester complete?

A

40 weeks

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

If having a normal pregnancy with no complications, how many US scans are required in pregnancy?

A

2 scans

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

How is pregnancy diagnosed?

A

+ve pregnancy test

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What is the marker in pregnancy test?

A

beta HCG

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What is the function of the placenta in pregnancy?

A

Produces several hormones to maintain the pregnancy

Provides nutrition for embryo

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Which 2 tissues is the placenta derived from?

A

Trophoblast tissue

Decidual tissue

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

How does placenta form?

A

Trophoblasts (chorion) differentiate into multinucleate cells (syncytiotrophoblasts) which invade decidua and break down capillaries to form cavities filled with maternal blood.
It then develops villi

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What is the importance of the villi projections of the placenta?

A

Blood vessels from the embryo develop here.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Is there direct contact between fetal and maternal blood in the placenta?

A

No

- separated by a thin membrane

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

There is exchange of which of the following between mother and foetus?

  • nutrients
  • blood
  • respiratory gases
A

Nutrients

Respiratory gases

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

At which week of pregnancy does the placenta become functional?

A

Week 5

25
Q

Placenta - oxygen transport

A

Oxygen diffuses from maternal -> foetal circulation

Carbon dioxide diffuses from foetal -> maternal circulation

26
Q

There is a higher/lower concentration of Hb in a foetus compared to adult? what does this mean?

A

Higher Hb in foetus

- higher affinity to carry oxygen

27
Q

Placenta - nutrient and waste products - what is the foetus’ main source of energy?

A

Glucose

28
Q

Placenta - nutrient and waste products - most glucose is required for the foetus at which trimester?

A

3rd

29
Q

Placenta - drug transport - name some drugs which are teratogenic

A
Thalidomide
Warfarin
Carbamazepine
Tetracycline
Alcohol
Nicotine
Heroin
Caffience
Cocaine
30
Q

Hormone changes - Human chorionic gonadotrophic (HCG) function

A

Signals the corpus luteum to continue secreting progesterone. This prevents the disintegration of the corpus luteum.

31
Q

Which 2 hormones maintain pregnancy?

A

Progesterone

Oestrogen

32
Q

Hormone changes - Human Chorionic Somaromammotropin (HCS) function

A

Growth hormone-like effects ; protein tissue formation

Decreases insulin sensitivity in mother so there is more glucose available for the foetus

33
Q

When is HCS produced?

A

From around 5 week gestation

34
Q

Hormonal changes - progesterone function

A

Stimulates decidual cells to concentrate glycogen, proteins and lipids

35
Q

Progesterone INCREASES/DECREASES uterine contractility?

A

Decreases

36
Q

Oestrogen INCREASES/DECREASES uterine contractility?

A

Increases

37
Q

Which hormone is more important for breast development: oestrogen or progesterone?

A

Oestrogen

38
Q

Cardiovascular changes happen early/late in pregnancy?

A

Early

39
Q

Outline the main CVS changes that occur during pregnancy

A
Increased blood volume -> 
Increased plasma volume -> 
Increased cardiac output -> 
Increased stroke volume -> 
Increased maternal HR -> 
Decreased total peripheral resistance
40
Q

At what gestation does the CO peak?

A

24 weeks

41
Q

Pregnancy causes vasoconstriction/vasodilation?

A

Vasodilation

42
Q

During early pregnancy, BP INCREASES/DECREASES?

A

Decreases

43
Q

During the 3rd trimester, BP INCREASES/DECREASES?

A

Increases

44
Q

After delivery, what happens to the BP ?

A

Decreases after delivery but subsequently rises and to normal levels at day 3-4 post delivery

45
Q

During pregnancy, there is INCREASED/DECREASED haemoglobin?

A

Decreased

46
Q

In what way does progesterone alter respiratory function during pregnancy?

A

Increased progesterone signals the brain to lower CO2 levels

47
Q

During pregnancy, there is increased/decreased oxygen consumption? why is this?

A

Increased

To meet metabolic need of foetus, placenta and mother

48
Q

During pregnancy, there is INCREASED/REDUCED functional residual capacity? Why is this?

A

Reduced

As the enlarging uterus is causing diaphragmatic elevation

49
Q

Breathlessness is most common in 1st/2nd/3rd trimester?

A

3rd trimester

50
Q

Urinary system changes - what happens to GFR?

A

Increases

51
Q

How much total weight does a mother usually gain during pregnancy (kg) ?

A

11kg

  • 5kg from foetus
  • 6kg own body weight
52
Q

How many extra calories does the mother require / day during pregnancy?

A

250-300kcal/day

53
Q

At which point in pregnancy is there accelerated starvation of the mother?

A

Third trimester

54
Q

Which hormone inhibits contractility and which increases contractility?
Oestrogen
Progesterone

A

Oestrogen - increases contractility

Progesterone - inhibits contractility

55
Q

Where is oxytocin released from>

A

Maternal posterior pituitary gland

56
Q

What is the function of oxytocin?

A

Increases uterine contractions

Stimulates placenta to make prostaglandins

57
Q

What do prostaglandins do to contractions/

A

Stimulate more vigorous contraction of the uterus

58
Q

During the menstrual cycle, when is the fertile period?

A

5 days before ovulation

1 day after ovulation