Obstetrics Overview Quiz

Study Notes

Alterations in Reproduction

HPO axis: the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis is the main hormonal feedback pathway for the reproductive system.
Menarche: the first menstrual cycle.
Os: the opening from the uterus through the cervix into the vagina; dilation can be measured to monitor labor progress.
Fundus: the top of the uterus, used to monitor fetal growth during pregnancy and to monitor postpartum recovery.
Infertility: the failure to achieve pregnancy after one year of unprotected intercourse; for females over 35, the interval is shortened to 6 months.
IUI: intrauterine insemination, a procedure where semen is directly inserted into the uterus.
IVF: in vitro fertilization, a procedure where eggs and sperm are collected and fertilized outside the body, and embryos are transferred into the uterus.
Prenatal period: the time from conception to birth.
Postnatal period: the time from birth to the return of the body to its pre-pregnant state
Parity: the number of deliveries a woman has had greater than or equal to 20 weeks gestation.
GTPAL: an abbreviation to represent a woman's obstetrical history:
- G = gravida (total number of pregnancies, including miscarriages, abortions, and stillbirths)
- T = term deliveries (deliveries greater than 37 weeks gestational age)
- P = preterm deliveries (deliveries between 20 – 36 weeks + 6 days gestation)
- A = abortions (spontaneous or therapeutic)
- L = living children (number of surviving children)
Macrosomia: a condition where the fetal head size is larger than normal, making vaginal delivery difficult.
Polyhydramnios: an excessive amount of amniotic fluid.
Normal female anatomy: sexual differentiation of an embryo occurs around the 7th week. The sex chromosomes determine the sex of the embryo → XX for females and XY for males.

Female Hormones

GnRH: Gonadotropin-releasing hormone, stimulates the release of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
FSH: stimulates the growth of follicles in the ovaries, preparing eggs for ovulation.
LH: stimulates ovulation and the formation of the corpus luteum, which produces hormones critical to maintaining the pregnancy.
Estrogen: responsible for the development and maintenance of female reproductive structures and secondary sex characteristics.
Progesterone: works with estrogens to prepare and maintain the endometrium (lining of the uterus) for implantation and prepares mammary glands to produce milk.
Relaxin: made by the corpus luteum, inhibits uterine contractions.
Inhibin: a hormone produced by granulosa cells in follicles with feedback from HPO axis either stimulating or inhibiting FSH and LH production