The Antepartum period ( Physiological changes in mother)
How much does the heart rate increase and when in the pregnancy does this occur?
10-15 BPM, second half of pregnancy.
What two structures does the enlarged uterus press on causing dilation of these structures?
Right ureter and kidney.
What is erythroblastosis fetalis?
happen when mom is rh- and baby is rh+. No affect on first child, but affects every rh+ baby after. mom given rhogam at 28 weeks and 72 hours after birth.
Why are pregnant women at risk for thrombophlebitis?
clotting factors increase
What causes excessive salvation?
estrogen
what is nasal congestion during pregnancy related to?
estrogen
What causes iron deficiency anemia?
increased RBC production, need for increased iron for production of hemoglobin, loss of iron in sweat feces, hair
What causes morning sickness?
increased hCG and progesterone levels
When is it normal for edema to occur and what is it related to?
last 6 weeks, blood stasis
What is an indicating factor of hypoglycemia?
leg cramps
what is melasma?
mask of pregnancy
What are the characteristics if iron deficiency anemia?
microcytic, hypochromic RBC, smooth tounge, pica
What changes take place in the cardiovascular system during pregnancy?
physiologic anemia 45-50%, increase in blood volume, more plasma than RBC, cardiac output increases 25-50% with peak at 28-32 weeks.
what is the decrease in bladder tone related to?
progesterone
What GI changes cause heartburn, nausea/ vomiting, and constipation?
progesterone relaxes smooth muscle, causes decreased gastric motility and relaxed esophageal sphincter.
What causes the joints to loosen during pregnancy?
relaxin and estrogens
what is the increase of urinary frequency related to?
waste management increasing urinary output, uterus pushes on bladder
What is supine hypotensive syndrome? What is the first action taken when this happens?
when one lies on their back, uterus presses on vena cava decreasing CO causing hypotension. Lie patient on left side.
Although urinary output increases when would the specific gravity be decreased?
with glycosuria.
