Physiology of Pregnancy Flashcards Preview

YEAR 3 REVISION > Physiology of Pregnancy > Flashcards

Flashcards in Physiology of Pregnancy Deck (37)
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1
Q

What pituitary-adrenal changes occur in pregnancy?

A
  • Pituitary gland enlarges
  • Increased levels of prolactin, ADH and ACTH
  • FSH and LH suppressed
2
Q

What cardiovascular changes occur in pregnancy?

A
  • Increased cardiac output and HR
  • Vasodilation
  • Hypervolaemia
  • Increased platelets
  • Increased RBC mass
  • Decreased BP
3
Q

Why is there a risk of anaemia in pregnancy?

A

Plasma volume increases which results in haemodilution and hypervolaemia

4
Q

What symptoms can the cardiovascular changes cause?

A

Increased blood volume and cardiac output and decreased BP = breathlessness, palpitations and fainting

5
Q

What is the effect of increased platelets?

A

Increased haemostasis = 6x increased risk of DVT

6
Q

What hepatic changes occur in pregnancy?

A
  • Increased liver function
  • Increased fibrinogen
  • Decreased serum albumin and bilirubin
7
Q

What respiratory changes occur in pregnancy?

A
  • Increased oxygen consumption
  • Increased CO2 output
  • Decreased residual volume
  • Uterus pushes diaphragm up during labour
8
Q

What renal changes occur in pregnancy?

A
  • Increased GFR
  • Increased renin, aldosterone, ADH and oestrogen
  • Retention of salt and water
9
Q

What is lordosis?

A

Weight gain leading to altered posture

10
Q

What changes can be seen in the breasts during pregnancy?

A
  • Enlargement
  • Development of glandular tissue
  • Vascularised (marbled appearance due to more capillaries)
11
Q

What is hypervolaemia?

A

Large volume of fluid in the blood

12
Q

What does NVP stand for?

A

Nausea and Vomiting in Pregnancy

13
Q

What advice should be given to women experiencing NVP

A
  • Usually eases after 1st trimester
  • Consume frequent, small meals rich in easily digested carbohydrates and low fat
  • Meat and strong smells make nausea worse
14
Q

What are the benefits of hypervolaemia?

A
  • Haemodilution
  • Reduced risk of PET
  • Increased blood flow to the skin
  • Increased clotting factors reduce the risk of PPH
15
Q

Why is constipation a problem in pregnancy?

A

Increased progesterone levels lead to slow movement of food so more water is absorbed

16
Q

What foods should be advised to avoid constipation?

A

Fruit and veg

17
Q

How much of the pregnant woman’s diet should be carbohydrate?

A

1/3

18
Q

Why is it safe for women to eat eggs with the Lion stamp on them?

A

They come from flocks that have been vaccinated against salmonella

19
Q

Why is it important to wash fruit, vegetables and salad?

A

To reduce the risk of toxoplasmosis (which comes from toxoplasma in soil)

20
Q

Why is folic acid recommended in pregnancy?

A

To reduce the risk of NTDs (as it is used to help form the neural tube)

21
Q

What other supplement is associated with folic acid that helps prevent NTDs?

A

Vitamin B12

22
Q

What can a deficiency of folate or vitamin B12 cause?

A

Folate/Vitamin B12 deficiency anaemia

23
Q

Why is vitamin D recommended in pregnancy?

A

Helps with bone growth and strength

24
Q

What is the recommended dose for vitamin D?

A

10mcg

25
Q

What is the recommended dose for folic acid?

A

400mcg

or 5mg if BMI>30, Hx NTD, Diabetes etc

26
Q

What should Hb levels be in pregnancy?

A
Booking = >110
28/40 = >105
PN = >100
27
Q

Name some iron-rich foods

A
  • Red meat
  • Fish
  • Poultry
  • Dried fruit
  • Leafy greens
  • Wholegrain bread
28
Q

Which foods should be avoided in pregnancy?

A
  • Shellfish
  • Blue cheese
  • Unpasteurised foods
29
Q

What should ferritin levels be throughout pregnancy?

A

> 50

30
Q

What is the pattern of AN visits?

A

EPC, Booking, 16, 25 (primips only), 28, 31, 34, 36, 40, 41

31
Q

When are sweeps routinely performed?

A

40/40 for primips

41/40 for primips and multips

32
Q

When should women be recommended to get the whooping cough vaccine?

A

After 20/40

33
Q

Why do we recommend getting the whooping cough vaccine?

A

Protects the baby up until it gets its only vaccines at approximately 6 weeks old

34
Q

When should women be given a Mat B1 form?

A

After 25/40

35
Q

When should a GAP chart be generated?

A

16/40

36
Q

When should midwives start plotting on the GAP chart?

A

After 25/40

37
Q

When are the trimesters of pregnancy?

A
1st = <12/40
2nd = 12-28/40
3rd = >28/40