Nursing in Reproductive Health

Identifying Adequate Sperm for Conception

• Sperm motility is the most useful criterion for assessing sperm adequacy for conception.

Infertility Concerns in Couples

• Nursing Diagnosis: Self-esteem disturbance related to infertility is the most pertinent diagnosis when a couple has been trying to conceive for two years, and their friends have successfully conceived.
• Couple's Concerns: One partner's statement "We know several friends in our age group and all of them have their own child already, Why can't we have one?" highlights the couple's concerns about their inability to conceive.

Urinary Symptoms in Pregnant Women (First Trimester)

• Frequency is the most frequent urinary symptom during the first trimester.

Causes of Heartburn and Flatulence in Pregnancy

• Decreased intestinal motility is the most likely cause of heartburn and flatulence in the second trimester.

Areas for Chloasma Observation

• The nurse would expect to observe chloasma on the cheeks, forehead, and nose.

Explanation for "Waddling" Gait in Pregnancy

• The "waddling" gait is caused by relaxation of the pelvic joints due to pressure on pelvic muscles.

Average Weight Gain During Pregnancy

• The average weight gain during pregnancy is 25 to 40 lb.

Cause of Aching, Swollen Leg Veins in Pregnancy

• Pressure on blood vessels from the enlarging uterus is the most likely cause of aching, swollen leg veins.

Cervical Softening and Uterine Souffle Classification

• Cervical softening and uterine souffle are classified as probable signs of pregnancy.

Presumptive Sign of Pregnancy

• Skin pigmentation changes are a presumptive sign of pregnancy.

Common Emotional Reactions During First Trimester

• Common emotional reactions during the first trimester include: introversion, egocentrism and narcissism.

Focus of Pregnancy Classes

• During the second and third trimesters, classes focus on physiological changes, fetal development, sexuality during pregnancy and nutrition.

Disadvantages of Breastfeeding

• Involution occurs more rapidly during breastfeeding.
• The incidence of allergies may increase due to maternal antibodies.
• The father may resent the infant's demands on the mother.
• There is a greater chance of error during preparation.

False-Positive Pregnancy Test

• A false-positive result may occur if the test is performed too early or too late after an abortion, if the urine sample is stored too long, or if a spontaneous or missed abortion is impending.

Auscultating Fetal Heart Rate (FHR)

• FHR can be auscultated with a fetoscope starting at 10 weeks gestation.

Estimated Due Date (EDD) Calculation

• EDD is calculated by adding 7 days to the first day of LMP, subtracting 3 months, and adding 1 year, if applicable.

Fundal Height and Gestational Age

• A low fundal height may indicate gestation less than 12 weeks.

Antepartum Danger Signs

• Danger signs like leaking amniotic fluid, vaginal bleeding, blurred vision and sudden weight gain should be reported promptly.

Significant Prenatal Laboratory Test

• A normal hematocrit is 33.5%, a rubella titer of 1:8 or greater, a normal White blood cell count of 8000/mm3, and a one-hour glucose challenge test of less than 110g/dl.

Characteristics of True Labor Contractions

• True labor contractions occur at irregular intervals, start in the back, intensify with walking and gradually shorten.

Stage of Labor in which Crowning Occurs

• Crowning is assessed during the second stage of labor.

Reason for Not Using Barbiturates in Active Labor

• Barbiturates aren't used for pain relief during active labor because they cross the placental barrier quickly and negatively affect the newborn.

Nursing Interventions During Third Stage of Labor

• Obtaining a urine specimen and other laboratory tests, and assessing uterine contractions every 30 minutes.

Newborn's Thermoregulatory Actions

• Placing the newborn under a radiant warmer to maintain body temperature.

Cardinal Movements Before Expulsion

• Descent, flexion, extension, and external rotation of the fetal head.

Structures Connecting Right and Left Auricles

• The foramen ovale connects the right and left auricles of the heart.

Reddish Diaper Stain Cause

• Uric acid crystals in the urine can cause reddish stains on the diaper.

Newborn Heart Rate Ranges

• A normal newborn heart rate while sleeping is 80 to 120 beats per minute; for an awake baby it would be between 120 to 160 beats per minute.

Fontanels of Newborn

• The anterior fontanel is larger than the posterior fontanel. The anterior fontanel closes around 18 months while the posterior fontanel closes around 8 to 12 weeks. The anterior fontanel is triangular shaped, and the posterior fontanel is diamond shaped.

Newborn Reflexes

• Blink, cough, root, sneeze, gag are present at birth.

Description of Babinski Reflex

• The newborn’s toes will hyperextend and fan apart from dorsiflexion of the big toe when one side of the foot is stroked upward.

Hyperemesis Gravidarum Description

• Severe nausea and vomiting leading to electrolyte, metabolic and nutritional imbalances in the absence of other medical problems.

Classic Signs of Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension (PIH)

• Edema of the hands and feet and face.

Spontaneous Abortion Types

• Dark brown vaginal discharge and a negative pregnancy test may be a sign of a spontaneous abortion.

Factors that Predispose to Placenta Previa

• Multiple gestation, uterine anomalies, and abdominal trauma.

Abruptio Placenta Description

• Premature separation of a normal implanted placenta during the second half of pregnancy, commonly with severe hemorrhage.

Oxytocin Use During Induction

• Tetanic contractions prolonged over 90 seconds, increased pain with vaginal bleeding and restlessness may happen if the uterus is overstimulated by oxytocin.

Key Concepts for Cesarean Delivery

• Instructing the mother's support person to remain in the family lounge, arranging for an anesthesia department staff member to explain post-operative procedures, and considering the emotional needs of the client.

Description of Preterm Labor

• Labor beginning between 20 weeks and 37 weeks gestation.

Evidence of Understanding PROM

• Nursing care based on fetal viability, gestational age, and the chorion and amnion rupturing prior to labor.

Underlying Cause of Dystocia

• Mechanical causes of dystocia are related to the fetus, uterus, or the pelvis.

Priority in Uterine Rupture Cases

• Preventing and limiting hypovolemic shock.

Initial Action for Cord Prolapse

• Placing the client on bed rest, often with the knee-chest position or by elevating the hips, to minimize pressure on the cord.

Postpartum Hemorrhage Criteria

• 500ml or more blood loss after childbirth.

Mastitis Predisposing Factor

• Injury to the breast, such as overdistention, stasis, or cracking of the nipples.

Thrombophlebitis Description

• Inflammation of the vascular endothelium of a vein with clot formation.

Cystitis Symptoms

• Frequency, urgency, dysuria, nocturia, hematuria, flank pain, high fever, chills and suprapubic pain.

Postpartum "Blues" Frequency

• Between 50% and 80% of all mothers experience some form of postpartum blues.

Additional Information

• Additional information about the topics is provided.