Physiologic Adaptations to Pregnancy
This endocrine hormone relaxes pelvic ligaments and softens the cervix in preparation for birth.
What is relaxin?
Bluish-purple discoloration of the cervix caused by increased vascularity is called this.
What is Chadwick’s sign?
Using Naegele’s rule, this is added after subtracting three months from the LMP.
What is 7 days?
Recommended total weight gain for a normal BMI pregnancy.
What is 25–35 pounds?
This test evaluates fetal heart rate accelerations in response to fetal movement.
What is a nonstress test (NST)?
A pregnant client becomes dizzy when lying flat at 28 weeks. This condition is caused by compression of this structure.
What is the inferior vena cava?
Cervical softening related to changes in collagen fibers is known as this sign.
What is Goodell’s sign?
Which lab is routinely performed between 24–28 weeks to screen for gestational diabetes?
What is the glucose challenge test?
This micronutrient decreases the risk of neural tube defects and should be started before conception.
What is folic acid?
This ultrasound-based test assesses fetal tone, movement, breathing, NST, and amniotic fluid.
What is the biophysical profile (BPP)?
This cardiovascular change increases the risk for venous thromboembolism during pregnancy.
What is a hypercoagulable state?
A decrease in fundal height after 36 weeks is best explained by this physiologic process.
What is lightening?
This pregnancy complication is suggested by facial swelling, visual disturbances, and persistent headache.
What is preeclampsia?
Iron absorption is increased when taken with this nutrient.
What is vitamin C (ascorbic acid)?
A contraction stress test showing late decelerations with more than 50% of contractions is interpreted as this.
What is a positive CST?
This GI change explains why constipation is common during pregnancy.
What is decreased intestinal motility (from progesterone)?
This structure prevents ascending vaginal bacteria from entering the uterus during pregnancy.
What is the mucus plug?
The recommended prenatal visit schedule changes to weekly at this gestational age.
What is 37 weeks?
Excessive maternal weight gain increases the risk for this fetal outcome.
What is macrosomia?
A reactive NST at ≥32 weeks requires accelerations of this magnitude.
What are 15 bpm for 15 seconds?
This finding explains why pregnant clients often develop physiologic anemia.
What is increased plasma volume exceeding RBC production?
Colostrum is typically present by this gestational age.
After 20 weeks’ gestation, fundal height in centimeters should approximately equal this measurement.
What is 12–16 weeks of pregnancy?
What is gestational age in weeks?
Normal fetal heart rate range assessed during antepartum visits is within this range.
What is 110–160 beats per minute?
These foods should be avoided due to a highly toxic organic compound that can damage the fetal CNS.
What is high mercury level seafood/fish?
This prenatal screening evaluates cell-free fetal DNA and can be drawn after 10 weeks.
This diagnostic test measures the lecithin-to-sphingomyelin ratio to assess fetal lung maturity.
What is noninvasive prenatal screening (NIPS/NIPT)?
What is amniocentesis?