The Pregnant Patient Flashcards
What is the duration of a full-term pregnancy?
A full-term pregnancy is approximately 40 weeks, calculated from the first day of the last menstrual period.
How is pregnancy divided into trimesters?
Pregnancy is divided into three trimesters: First trimester (0-13 weeks), Second trimester (14-26 weeks), Third trimester (27-40 weeks).
What is considered full term in pregnancy?
Full term is defined as 39 weeks 0 days to 40 weeks 6 days.
What is preterm and post term in pregnancy?
Preterm is prior to 37 weeks. Post term is greater than 42 weeks.
What are common symptoms in the first trimester of pregnancy?
Common symptoms include nausea and vomiting, more frequent urination, fatigue, breast tenderness, nosebleeds and nasal stuffiness, and increased vaginal discharge.
What symptoms are observed in the second and third trimesters?
Symptoms include pregnancy becoming visible, fetal movements around 20 weeks, feeling better (less fatigue, nausea gone), frequent urination, back pain, lower extremity edema (LE edema), round ligament pain, fatigue, shortness of breath, and constipation.
What role does Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) play in pregnancy?
hCG stimulates the production of estrogen and progesterone, is responsible for pregnancy tests, and is high in the beginning, decreasing once the placenta is formed.
What produces progesterone?
Progesterone is produced by the corpus luteum of the ovary after fertilization, then by the placenta.
How do estrogen and progesterone affect pregnancy?
Estrogen helps regulate levels of progesterone and both hormones are responsible for most anatomic and physiologic adaptations during pregnancy.
What cardiovascular changes occur during pregnancy?
Blood volume increases by 30%-50%, heart rate increases by 10-20 bpm, and blood flow to the uterus increases.
What is ‘Physiologic anemia’ in pregnancy?
It occurs because plasma increase is greater than red blood cell (RBC) increase to meet the oxygen demands of pregnancy.
What are common respiratory changes during pregnancy?
Maternal oxygen requirement increases by 15-20%, and the uterus enlargement pushes up on the diaphragm, potentially causing difficulty breathing.
What hematologic changes occur during pregnancy?
Hemoglobin (Hgb) and Hematocrit (Hct) decrease, while blood coagulation factors and white blood cell count (WBCs) increase.
What gastrointestinal changes are common during pregnancy?
Pregnancy gingivitis, increased saliva production, decreased peristalsis, nausea and vomiting, and gastric emptying slowing leading to heartburn.
What urinary/renal changes occur during pregnancy?
Urine flow and volume increase, urinary frequency increases, and dilation of the renal pelvis occurs.
What musculoskeletal changes occur during pregnancy?
Relaxation of cartilage and smooth muscle occurs, leading to gait alteration, low back pain, and potential development of diastasis recti.
What is the recommended weight gain during pregnancy?
The current recommendation for total weight gain is 25-35 lbs, depending on the mother’s starting weight and other factors.
What are the symptoms of hypertension in pregnancy?
Symptoms include changes in vision, persistent headache, swelling in hands or face, weight gain, epigastric pain, shortness of breath, and nausea.
What are the four types of hypertension in pregnancy?
The types achronic hypertension, gestational hypertension, preeclampsia-eclampsia, and preeclampsia superimposed on chronic hypertension.
What are the risk factors for pre-eclampsia
Risk factors include first pregnancy, new partner, age < 18 or > 35, history of preeclampsia, family history, race, increased BMI, and pregnancy timing.
What are the ACOG guidelines to discontinue exercise during pregnancy?
Guidelines include increased sweating, skin redness, dizziness, nausea, headache, chest pain, heart palpitations, vaginal bleeding, contractions, and calf pain or swelling.
What agents can affect pregnancy?
Agents include X-rays, environmental hazards, maternal conditions, infectious agents, medications, and legal and illegal substances.
What are the physiologic stages of labor?
The stages include: First stage (true labor to 10 cm dilation), Second stage (10 cm dilation and pushing to birth), Third stage (birth to placenta delivery), Fourth stage (1-4 hours after delivery).
What are indications for a C-section?
Indications include malpresentation, cephalopelvic disproportion, fetal distress, umbilical prolapse, placental abruption, and placental previa.
