Overview of Pregnancy and Reproductive Health

Apr 7, 2025

Lecture Notes on Pregnancy and Reproductive Health

Key Hormones and Pregnancy Maintenance

  • Progesterone: Hormone responsible for maintaining pregnancy.

Placenta Functions

  • Villous Trophoblast: Part of the placenta responsible for gas and nutrient exchange.

Ectopic Pregnancy

  • Fallopian Tube: Most common site for ectopic pregnancy.

Early Signs and Stages of Pregnancy

  • Amenorrhea: An early sign of pregnancy.
  • Cervical Dilation: Occurs during the first stage of labor.

Fetal Health

  • Fetal Oxygenation: Best position during labor is left lateral.
  • Normal Fetal Heart Rate: 110 to 160 BPM.

Pregnancy-Related Conditions

  • Preeclampsia: Characterized by high blood pressure and proteinuria.
  • Gestational Diabetes: Advanced maternal age is a risk factor.
  • Placenta Previa: Condition where the placenta covers the cervix.

Duration and Fertility

  • Normal Pregnancy Duration: 40 weeks.
  • Fertilization: Most commonly occurs in the fallopian tube.

Labor and Delivery

  • Cesarean Section: Surgical procedure to deliver a baby through the abdominal wall.
  • Ideal Fetal Presentation for Vaginal Delivery: Breech.
  • Pelvic Shape Favorable for Vaginal Delivery: Gynecoid.

Postpartum and Newborn

  • Postpartum Hemorrhage: Leading cause of maternal mortality.
  • Meconium: Term for a newborn's first stool.
  • Fontanel: Soft spot on a newborn's head.

Tests and Procedures

  • Pap Smear: Test used to detect cervical cancer.
  • Positive Pregnancy Test: Indicated by multiple factors.

Hormones and Lactation

  • Oxytocin: Triggers milk ejection.
  • Prolactin: Responsible for milk production.

Risk Factors and Complications

  • Placenta Accreta: Abnormal implantation of the placenta.
  • Cervical Incompetence: Risk factor for preterm labor.
  • Polyhydramnios: Characterized by excessive amniotic fluid.

Maternal-Fetal Health

  • Uterine Atony: Common cause of postpartum hemorrhage.
  • O Negative Blood Type: May lead to hemolytic disease of the newborn.

Terminology

  • Quickening: Term for fetal movement felt by the mother.
  • Involution: Return of the uterus to its pre-pregnancy size.
  • Gravida: Refers to the number of pregnancies.
  • Breech Presentation: Increases the risk of umbilical cord prolapse.

Emergency Situations

  • Fetal Distress: Indication for an emergency C-section.
    • Bradycardia: A sign of fetal distress.
    • Blurry Vision: A sign of impending eclampsia.

These notes summarize the main points from the lecture on pregnancy and reproductive health, focusing on hormonal roles, pregnancy signs, fetal health, labor stages, and pregnancy-related conditions.

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