Test #4 Flashcards
Elimination
The act of expelling, especially from the body. Defecation and urination are both acts of elimination
Embryo
The developing baby, from the time of conception until the seventh or eighth week of development. Compare with fetus.
Endorphins
A hormone released by the brain to reduce pain sensations
Enkephalin
A hormone released by the brain to reduce pain sensations
Epinephrine
Another term for adrenaline. A catecholamine, or stress hormone, produced by the adrenal gland, generated as a response to fear or anxiety. Results in increased heart rate and breathing rate together with dilated pupils.
External os
The opening of the cervix into the vagina
Face presentation
A position the baby may adopt in the uterus, where the baby’s face is presenting against the cervix.
Fetal Attitude
Description of the baby’s position in the uterus, usually describing the degree of flexion of the head and the position of other body parts. A normal attitude is when the fetus has its head tucked in with the chin close to the chest, with arms and legs tucked in close to its body. an abnormal attitude is when the fetus has its head bent back, or extended, at the neck or arms and legs in abnormal positions such as behind the body. A well-flexed head is easier to birth as the diameters are smaller. An extended attitude is more common with posterior positions.
Fetal lie
This describes the position of the baby in relation to the axis of the mother’s uterus. If the axis of the head to tow of the fetus is parallel with the axis of the mother’s head to tailbone, the baby is said to have longitudinal lie. If they are at 90 degrees to each other, the baby has a transverse lie.
Fetal Position
The relationship of the fetus to the four quadrants, or sections, of the maternal pelvis. The baby is described as being anterior (to the front of the pelvis), posterior (to the back), left (to the left side of the mother) or right (to the right side of the mother).
Week 3
Heart beat begins on about day 18
Week 4-5
Heart beats at a regular rhythm
Week 6
Lungs begin to develop
Week 7
All essential organs have now begun to form
Week 8
Kidneys are now functioning
Week 10
Nervous system now responsive
Week 12
Fetus is about 10 cm long and fetus can make a fist with its fingers
Week 16
Lanugo develops on the head
Week 18
Ovaries of the female fetus are now fully formed and contain all the egg cells she will have for her lifetime
Week 20
Quickening usually occurs (the mother can feel fetus moving)
Week 24
Baby now can see
Week 28
Fetus has 2-3% body fat
Week 32
pupils are now colored
Week 36
creases appear around the neck and wrists
Week 38
The fetus is now considered “term” and being born any time in the next four weeks is normal
Week 40
15% of body weight is fat
Week 42
This is the end of the normal due period for the baby to be born
What 5 main bones form the skull?
2 Frontal, 2 parietal, 1 occipital
What are the gaps called between the fetal skull bones?
Fontanels. They enable the bones to slide over one another an reduce the diameter of the skull
Occipital bone
The occipital bone lies at the back of the skull and serves the purpose of protecting the spinal cord. During labor, a baby with a well flexed head presents with the occiput. It fits snugly at the cervix to promote dilation.
Parietal bones
The parietal bones are on each side of the skull. At the top is the anterior fontanel. At the base is the posterior, or back, fontanel.
Frontal bones
Frontal bones are at the forehead. They form the front of the skull and have sutures in between. As the child grows older these bones will slowly fuse together. They are not completely fused until the age of 8 years.
What ways can the baby’s head lay in the pelvis?
- The most optimum position is with its head flexed down, chin on chest. It helps it to best negotiate the pelvis.
- In most cases the baby’s head grows to a size that will fit through a mother’s pelvis.
- If the baby’s head is slightly extended, not tucked, and doesn’t find an optimum position, a vaginal delivery would be more difficult. This is commonly seen in a brow presentation.
- If the baby’s head is neither flexed nor extended, but just sitting straight, this is a common position for a posterior baby to lie in. It’s back would be against the mother’s spine.
What is the function of the chorionic villi?
The tiny hair-like projections, or chorionic villi, on the surface of the blastocyst open up the mother’s blood vessels to let nutrients be absorbed from her blood and passed through to the developing baby.
When is the placenta fully functioning?
10 weeks after conception
How much does the placenta weigh?
In the first 20 weeks of pregnancy, the placenta weights more than the fetus does. At 40 weeks, the placenta is about 2.5 cm thick in the center and has a diameter of about 15-20 cm. The placenta weighs approximately 1 pound and 1.63 ounces.
Cotyledons
The maternal placental side is made up of a series of lobules called cotyledons. The maternal side of the placenta is rough while the baby’s side is smooth.
What are the functions of the placenta
Nutrition, Respiration, excretion, Storage and production, immunity, endocrine (hormones), amniotic fluid
What hormones is the placenta responsible for producing
HcG, Human placental lactogen (impact on the metabolism of glucose, estrogen, progesterone
What is amniotic fluid and what does it do?
It allows the fetus to be able to move freely within the fetal sac. It keeps the baby at a constant temperature and equalizes the pressure on the baby and the umbilical cord. It is fully replaced every 3 hours. The fluid is produced by the mother’s blood vessels, majority is excreted urine from baby. At 38 weeks the average volume is 1 liter. Mostly made up of Dead skin cells, vernix, lanugo
What is the umbilical cord and what is it responsible for?
Passing blood back and forth from the fetus to the placenta. It has an average length of about 50cm. A short cord is less then 40cm.
What physical changes might a woman notice early in pregnancy?
Fullness in the breast and sore nipples, nausea, changes in smell and taste, food cravings and aversions
What changes occur to the uterus during pregnancy?
They grow up to 20 times longer than their non pregnant state, Estrogen and progesterone cause the muscle fibers to increase in number and size, 12 weeks: grapefruit; 20 weeks, fundus is thicker and rounder
What functions do the cervix provide during pregnancy?
It remains about the same length but becomes rounder. It provides protection for the baby through the presence of thick viscous mucus, It becomes softer and thinner during the last weeks of pregnancy; it progressively moves from a posterior to anterior position
What changes happen to the vagina during pregnancy?
The tissues become more elastic. It becomes more acidic to protect from infection. It becomes more vascular due to an increase in blood supply so that the tissues are more stretchy.
What changes occur to a woman’s respiratory system when she is pregnant?
Lining becomes slightly swollen to the increased blood supply (leads to stuffiness); chest changes shape as the uterus grows larger
What changes occur to a woman’s heart and blood during pregnancy?
Heart muscle cells become enlarged; temporary murmurs can be heard; mother produces more blood in order to provide enough oxygen for the growing fetus and mother’s expanding tissues, heart rate and stroke volume increases, the total blood volume increases to 5.5 liters
What changes occur to a woman’s urinary system?
100 additional liters of fluid pass into kidneys each day. Pregnant women are more prone to urinary Tract infections
What changes occur to the gastrointestinal system?
Increase in estrogen makes gums soft and spongy; metallic taste i mouths, pica, constipation
What changes occur to the skin during pregnancy?
pituitary gland release an increased amount of melanin stimulating hormone so that areas of the skin become darker; Angiomas–small red lumps on face, neck, chest, or arms; stretch marks, sweating, weight gain
What changes occur to the musculoskeletal tract
joints ligaments and muscles become relaxed. center of gravity shifts; posture problems.
Changes to the breast
tingling or sensitivity to the breasts and nipples; Montgomery tubercles: cleaning the areola
What emotional changes occur during pregnancy?
Sensitive to the suffering and hardships of others; crying more; protection toward baby;
