MATERNITY EXAM #1 STUDY GUIDE
PREGNANCY TERMINOLOGY:
Pregnancy
o 40 weeks/10 lunar months/280 days
1st 1-13 weeks
2nd14-26 weeks
3rd27-40 weeks
Term = 38-42 weeks
Pre-term = 20-37 weeks, 6/7 days
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MATERNITY EXAM #1 STUDY GUIDE
PREGNANCY TERMINOLOGY:
Pregnancy
o 40 weeks/10 lunar months/280 days
1st 1-13 weeks
2nd14-26 weeks
3rd27-40 weeks
Term = 38-42 weeks
Pre-term = 20-37 weeks, 6/7 days
Post-term = 42+ weeks
o NAGEL’S RULE (to determine due date)
LMP – 3 months + 7 days & 1 year
OR LMP + 7 + 9 months
Neither are exact, 2 month window on either side “hence why 38-
42 weeks is ‘term’
Sonographic dating helps increase accuracy, especially in women
who don’t have normal 28 day cycle
o Gravida
Indicates current state of pregnancy/ # of pregnancies
experienced
Nulla gravida: never been pregnant
Primi-gravida: 1st pregnancy
Multi-gravida: 2nd or more pregnancy
o Para
Description of pregnancy outcome (FT, abortion, miscarriage,
labor)
Single number given: pregnancies that have reached
viability
4 number system: specific outcomes of ALL pregnancies
o Parity: TPAL system
T: # pregnancies that reached term
P: # pregnancies delivered pre-term
A: # pregnancies ended prior to age of viability (~20wks)
Voluntary or spontaneous abortion
L: # living children
ANTEPARTUM (PHYSIOLOGY, CARE, NUTRITION) [14 Questions]DETERMINING PREGNANCY:
Presumptive signs/symptoms
o Missed period
o Breast tenderness
o Nausea
Probable signs/ symptoms
o Goodell’s sign: softening of the cervix
o Chadwic’s sign: bluish-purple discoloration of cervix/uterus
o Hegar’s sign: softening of the uterus
o + Urine pregnancy test (clinical positive)
Most are 98% accurate; false negatives possible if done too early
Positive signs/ symptoms
o Lab confirmation (clinical positive)
Blood test for hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin)
Earliest biochemical marker of pregnancy
Urine pregnancy tests based on recognition of this as early as 4
days after conception
In theory: BEFORE missed period
Uses ELISA marker method
Blood test provides “numerical” analysis of pregnancy
Values increase incrementally with growing pregnancy
(how much in blood stream)
Used more often to verify “growth” w/ spotting or risk of
“problems” (if number stops rising, something is wrong)
o Visualization of fetus
o Sonogram/audible heartbeat
PHYSIOLOGICAL ADAPTATIONS TO PREGNANCY:
Hormones
o Progesterone
Stays high from corpus luteum
Inhibits uterine activity (shedding of lining)
o hCG
Increases
o Estrogen
Promotes growth of uterine tissues
o hPL
Insulin antagonist
Triggers milk production
Makes women at risk for gestational diabetes
To reduce risks: Preconception counseling
Appropriate BMI, diet, etc.
o Prostaglandin
Stimulates labor
Uterus
o Changes in size, shape, and position w/ growing fetus
At 12wks size of grapefruit and anterior
22-24wks at height of umbilicus
Measured in cm from symphysis pubis: number should
correspond to weeks of gestation (24 weeks should = 24cm, 2 cm
window on either side)
o Uteroplacental blood flow
Increased maternal blood flow to uterus to cross placenta
o Cervical changes
Increased vascularitysoftening & blue
Increased vaginal discharge
Ballottment: examiner feels “floating fetus”
Quickening
Maternal perception of fetal movement
~18 weeksshould continue through pregnancy
May feel like gas, bubbles, etc.
Keep in mind a baby’s sleep cycle is 30-90 minutes and
may be why the mother doesn’t feel movement
Lightening
Baby drops down into pelvis (after ~36 weeks)
However…if breeched, won’t really drop
Not all babies drop
o Breasts
Fullness, heaviness
Heightened sensitivity (tingling to sharp pain)
Areolae become more pigmented
Montgomery’s tubercles glands/bumps on the areola
Colostrum begins developing by 16 weeks
o Cardiovascular
50% increase in blood flow, mostly plasma
Need to be able to send more blood to go to uterus to
send O2 & nutrients to the baby
Increased cardiac output
Physiological anemia due to hemodilution (more plasma, not
enough blood components)
Increased demand for iron Track CBC in beginning of pregnancy & 3rd trimester
Increased demand for oxygen
Pulse increase in 2nd trimester until term (10-15 bpm higher)
Blood Pressure
Decreased in 2nd tri, return to normal at term
Pressure on vena cava due to gravid uterus; decreased
venous return to the heart
Decrease venous return = decreased BP & CO
Also decreased blood to baby
Supine hypotension... lower BP in extremities and baby
but higher for mother (short term)
Women advised against sleeping on back
o Coagulation
Increased coagulation times= hypercoagulable
At increased risk for DVTs, however most don’t get them
o Respiratory
Thoracic breathing
Greater expansion
Pressure from crowded uterus
Increased metabolic rate
Increased demand and consumption of oxygen
Congestion
o GI System
N/Vworse in 1st trimester, improves after 12 weeks
Heartburn
Altered metabolism
Changes in carb metabolism, increasing resistance to
insulin
Increased risk of gestational diabetes
Delayed gallbladder emptying time
Constipation/hemorrhoids
PICA
Craving non-food substances (paper, clay, dirt)
Not common; alert HCP
Assess for iron deficiency anemia
o Renal
Increased GFR due to increased CO
Dilation of ureters/ increased pressure = increased urination
Increased reabsorption of Na+
Some glucose spills at serum levels <160
Report any glucose, protein, ketones in urine to HCP
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