"X" Pecting
Variable decelerations are associated with
Cord compression
Drugs, infections, and certain environmental chemicals can be harmful to a developing baby because they fall into this category of substances.
A teratogen
The most common side effect after an epidural block
Hypotension
The 3 stages of fetal development include.
Pre-embryonic stage, embryonic stage, and fetal stage
The amount of chromosomes needed for human development.
46 chromosomes (23 per parent)
This hormone is primarily responsible for stimulating the thickening of the endometrium each menstrual cycle.
Estrogen
At the beginning of this phase of labor, contractions become more regular and moderate to strong, occur every 3 to 5 minutes, and last 45 to 60 seconds.
The active phase
(Phases: latent, active, & Transition)
An interference with blood return to the maternal heart occurs when the weight of the fetus rests on the?
Vena Cava
The patient's fundus becomes globular during this stage of labor
Third Stage.
The third stage shows signs of placental separation: a gush of blood, lengthening of the umbilical cord, and the fundus becomes globular.
A life-threatening complication of general anesthesia
Malignant hyperthermia
These signs of pregnancy (Think PPP) can have causes other than pregnancy and are noticed only by the mother.
Presumptive signs of pregnancy are subjective symptoms that suggest pregnancy but can also be caused by other factors, such as fatigue, nausea, missed period, and breast changes.
The decline of these ovarian hormones leads to the symptoms of perimenopause, such as hot flashes and irregular periods.
Estrogen and Progesterone
This hormone is primarily responsible for ovulation
luteinizing hormone
The first time a pregnant person feels their baby move in the uterus. It usually feels like flutters, bubbles, or tiny pulses is referred to as
Quickening
What occurs to the fetus as a result of a contraction decrement?
Blood flow to the fetus improves and the fetal heart rate should return to baseline.
The muscles relax, and blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing return to normal during this phase of the sexual response cycle.
Resolution phase
Blood pressure decreases slightly during this trimester because the expanding placenta causes peripheral resistance to circulation to lower.
Second Trimester
After ovulation, this hormone rises to prepare the endometrium for potential implantation.
Progesterone
The client's last menstrual period (LMP) was February 10th. Using the Naegele rule, what would the estimated date of delivery (EDD) be?
November 17th
To use the Naegele rule, subtract 3 months and then add 7 days to the first day of the client's LMP (February 10th): February minus 3 months is November, and then adding 7 days is the 17th. Thus, her estimated date of delivery (EDD) would be November 17th.
A nurse is documenting the obstetric history of a pregnant client who has previously given birth to three infants at term and had one spontaneous abortion at 12 weeks of gestation. What is her gravida para (G/P)?
G5/P3
Gravida refers to the total number of pregnancies (including current), while para refers to the number of births after 20 weeks of gestation.
Gravida: Pregnant 5 times (current pregnancy, 3 deliveries, and spontaneous abortion)
Para: 3 births (after 20 weeks of gestation)
These twins have one amniotic cavity that they both share.
Monoamniotic–monochorionic twins
(Identical twins)
What is the role of the placenta in pregnancy? List 3 things the placenta does during pregnancy.
The role of the placenta:
1. It supplies the developing organism with food and oxygen (exchange of oxygen & nutrients).
2. It carries waste away for excretion by the mother. Removes: carbon dioxide from the fetus and transports it back to the mother's circulation for elimination.
3. It slows the maternal immune response so that the mother's body does not reject the fetal tissues.
4. It produces hormones (such as hCG) that help maintain the pregnancy. These hormones also prepare the mother's body for childbirth and breastfeeding.
5. It acts as a barrier, preventing the direct mixing of maternal and fetal blood but enabling the exchange of substances.
What makes a non-stress test (NST) reactive? List 3 criteria.
A reactive non-stress test shows
1. At least 2 accelerations (lasting 15 seconds and peaking 15 beats per minute above the baseline 15x15) of the fetal heart rate.
2. Moderate variability of the heart rate noted in the monitor strip.
3. The mother feels the fetus moving and/or kicking (which should be seen on the monitor strip as well). A lack of fetal movement is abnormal and requires follow-up.
4. No decelerations were noted (Decelerations are abnormal and will need to have further follow-up).
5. Fetal heart rate baseline between 110 bpm and 160 bpm.
This hormone stimulates the production of sperm in the seminiferous tubules of the testes.
Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH)
What type of blood does the umbilical vein carry from the placenta to the fetus?
The umbilical vein carries oxygenated blood from the placenta to the fetus.
The umbilical artery carries deoxygenated blood from the fetus to the placenta.
This phase of the involuntary uterine contraction is examined to ensure the fetus is progressing adequately.
Relaxation Phase
(fetus has a break from the contraction)
This location in the testis is where sperm mature.
Epididymis
List 2 hormones produced by the placenta.
1. Progesterone (to maintain endometrial lining)
2. Estrogen (to provide a rich blood supply)
3. hCG (to sustain the corpus luteum at the beginning of pregnancy)
A decreased maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein level is associated with?
Downs Syndrome
Tracking changes in the color, consistency, and stretchiness of this substance can help identify the most fertile days of the menstrual cycle.
Cervical Mucus
This measurement from the pubic symphysis to the top of the uterus, roughly in centimeters usually corresponds to the number of weeks of gestation, with a normal variation of about 1 cm above or below.
Fundal Height
A woman is currently pregnant. She has previously delivered one baby at 38 weeks, had one loss at 10 weeks, and had one birth at 34 weeks. She has two living children. What is her GTPAL?
G = 3 pregnancies (past 2 + current 1)
T = 1 term birth ≥37 weeks
P = 1 preterm birth 20–36.6 weeks
A = 1 miscarriage <20 weeks
L = 2 living children
After the head is delivered, this cardinal movement allows the shoulders to rotate and align with the pelvis before emerging.
External Rotation
Example of each:
Engagement: The fetal head enters the maternal pelvis, usually at the level of the ischial spines.
Descent: The fetus moves downward through the birth canal.
Flexion: The fetal head tilts forward so the chin touches the chest, allowing the smallest diameter of the head to present.
Internal rotation: The fetal head rotates to align the occiput with the maternal pelvis.
Extension: The fetal head extends as it passes under the pubic symphysis during birth.
External rotation (restitution): After the head is delivered, it rotates back to realign with the shoulders.
Expulsion: The rest of the fetal body, including the shoulders and trunk, is delivered.
This component of maternal blood increases the most during pregnancy, resulting in a 40-45% rise in total blood volume.
Plasma
This type of pain relief is given through a needle in the vein or muscle to reduce the mother’s perception of labor pain without completely eliminating it.
Systemic Analgesia
Early in pregnancy, this hormone can cause mild shortness of breath, while later in pregnancy, the enlarging uterus pushes on the diaphragm, making breathing feel more difficult.
Progesterone
Early pregnancy: Rising progesterone stimulates the brain’s respiratory center, increasing tidal volume and ventilation. This helps deliver more oxygen to the mother and fetus, but can cause a sensation of mild shortness of breath. Progesterone (chill factor)
Late pregnancy: The growing uterus pushes up on the diaphragm, limiting lung expansion and contributing to breathlessness, especially when lying down or during exertion.