Pregnancy - Prenatal Care Flashcards
Name Physiological changes associated with pregnancy in this organ system: CV (4)
- Hyperdynamic circulation → ↑ CO, ↑ HR, ↑ SV
- ↓ Mean arterial BP (lowest at 24 wk)
- ↓ PVR due to vasodilation
- ↓ Venous return and ↑ venous pressure due to compression of inferior vena cava + pelvic veins by uterus (e.g. supine hypotensive syndrome)
Name Physiological changes associated with pregnancy in this organ system: Hematologic (4)
- Hemodilution (↑↑ plasma volume relative to ↑ RBCs) → apparent ↓ Hgb and Hct
- ↑ WBC but ↓ function leads to improvement of AI disease
- ↓ # Platelets → gestational thrombocytopenia
- Hypercoagulable state → ↑ risk DVT, PE
Name Physiological changes associated with pregnancy in this organ system: Respiratory (5)
- Level of diaphragm rises and ↑ subcostal angle
- ↑ O2 requirements
- ↓ TLC, FRC, RV
- Increase minute ventilation
- RR stays the same
Name Physiological changes associated with pregnancy in this organ system: Breasts (7)
- Breast tenderness, tingling (Progesterone induced)
- ↑ Breast size, enlargement of nipples
- ↑ Vascularity/blood flow to breast
- ↑ Cuboidal alveolar cell and ductal (Estrogen induced)
- ↑ Synthesis of milk components—casein, lactalbumin, fatty acids (R/PRLinduced)
- Initiation of secretory activity due to PRL and human placental lactogen (expression of colostrum [thick glossy, protein-rich uid]) from 2nd trimester onward + rst 30 h after delivery
- Inhibition of full lactation high E/P levels
Name Physiological changes associated with pregnancy in this organ system: Skin (2)
- ↑ Pigmentation (areola; cholasma - under eyes; linea nigra - anterior abdo wall) → due to ↑ secretion of melanocyte-stimulating hormone
- Stretch marks—striae gravidarum (abdo wall, lateral thighs, breasts) → due to ↑ glucocorticoids
Name Physiological changes associated with pregnancy in this organ system: GI (5)
- Tone and motility of stomach, small/large intestines → constipation
- ↑ GERD Sx due to ↑ intra-abdo pressure and ↓ lower esophageal sphincter tone
- ↑ Gallstones
- Hemorrhoids
- N/V - morning sickness in up to 70% ; cause unclear
Name Physiological changes associated with pregnancy in this organ system: Renal (4)
- GFR, (↑ renal blood ow)
- Urinary frequency
- UTI risk due to ↑ urine stasis + ↑ glucose content of urine
- Bladder tone, ↑ ureter and renal pelvis dilation (P induced smooth muscle relaxation)
Name Physiological changes associated with pregnancy in this organ system: Endocrine (3)
- Size and vascularity of pituitary, thyroid glands
- ↑ PRL, oxytocin, ↑ ACTH, ↑ GC secretion vs. normal TSH, ↑ thyroid hormones, ↑ BMR
- Suppressed GH but replaced by hPL
Name Physiological changes associated with pregnancy in this organ system: Uterine (3)
- ↑ Size uterine fundus through hypertrophy of stroma
- from pear shape to globular, eventually becoming spherical by the end of 1st trimester; begins to assume an ovoid shape starting in 2nd trimester; 2nd and 3rd trimester → expansion of uterine cavity from 4 mL in nonpregnant state to up to 5L at full term
- Hypertrophy of blood vessels supplying uterus → dilation of arteries, ↑ blood flow
Describe: Preconception counseling (4)
- Review and optimize medical illnesses (ie., HTN, DM, seizure etc.)
- Review and optimize meds
- Risk assessment and modifications:
* (a) Lifestyle—diet, exercise
* (b) Social—alcohol, smoking, illicit drugs, domestic violence, marital dysfunction, Hx depression
* (c) Genetic testing—if FHx of genetic disease
* (d) Infectious disease testing
* (e) Update immunizations for Hepatitis B, rubella, varicella, Tdap (tetanus, diptheria, pertussis), HPV and influenza
- Risk assessment and modifications:
- Nutrition supplementation
Name which infectious disease to test in pregnancy (6)
- HIV
- Rubella IgG
- Varicella
- Syphilis
- Hepatitis B
- Gonorrhoea/chlamydia
In pregnancy, we should update immunizations for what? (6)
- Hepatitis B
- Rubella
- Varicella
- Tdap (tetanus, diptheria, pertussis)
- HPV
- Influenza
Describe Nutrition supplementation for pregnant women (3)
- Folic acid
- Fe
- Prenatal multivitamins
Describe doses for Folic acid supplementation in pregnancy (2)
- 0.4–1 mg OD starting at least 2–3 mo preconception until end of T1
- or 5 mg OD if have FHx of neural tube defects, current Hx Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus , obesity, epilepsy, or Hx poor compliance
Describe doses for Fe supplementation in pregnancy (2)
- recommended 27 mg/d for maintenance
- 150–200 mg /d to treat anemia
Describe hx, physical exam, investigations and counselling in initial prenatal visit

Describe timing of subsequent prenatal visits (3)
- q4 wk until GA 28 wk
- q2 wk at 28–36 wk
- q1 wk at >36 wk to delivery
Name signs and sx of pregnancy (12)
Sx
- Amenorrhea
- Nausea/vomiting
- ↑ Urinaryfrequency
- ↑ Fatigue/lassitude
- Breast tenderness/ heaviness
- Constipation
- Lower abdo cramps
- Backaches/headaches
Signs
- Uterine enlargement
- Chadwick sign—blue cervix/vagina at 6 wk
- Goodell sign—soft cervix at 4 to 6 wk
- Hegarsign—softuterine isthmus at 6 to 8 wk
Describe Routine antenatal assessments according to GA: 8-12 weeks (1)
Dating U/S → measure of crown-rump length; margin of error± 5d
Describe Routine antenatal assessments according to GA: 10-12 weeks (1)
CVS
Describe Routine antenatal assessments according to GA: 11-14 weeks (2)
- First Trimester Screening → measures (a) Nuchal Translucency Ultrasound, (b) b-hCG, + (c) Pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A); provides risk estimate for trisomy 21. If + = CVS or amniocentesis should be offered
- Integrated Prenatal Screening IPS part 1 (NTUS + PAPP-A)
Describe Routine antenatal assessments according to GA: 11-13 + 6 weeks (3)
- NTUS → measures AFV behind neck of fetus; early screen for congenital anomalies, i.e., trisomy 21 measures “thickness of neck”
- Should only be used alone for twin pregnancy estimation of T21 risk
- Singleton pregnancy should have FTS, IPS, or QUAD screen
Describe Routine antenatal assessments according to GA: 15-18 weeks (1)
Integrated Prenatal Screening IPS part 2 MSS markers (e.g. QUAD screen))
Describe Routine antenatal assessments according to GA: 15-20 weeks (2)
- QUAD screen (screen for trisomy 21, 18, and open NTDs) → measures
- (a) Maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (MSAFP)
- (b) b-hCG
- (c) unconjugated E (E3/estriol)
- (d) inhibin-A
- Amniocentesis if indicated




