Physiological Adaptations During Pregnancy
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Questions and Answers

Which cells within the myometrium increase in size during early pregnancy?

  • Placental cells
  • Epithelial cells
  • Myometrial cells (correct)
  • Endometrial cells
  • What is the major component of myometrial growth after mid-gestation?

  • Hypertrophy of uterine smooth muscle cells (correct)
  • Increase in the size of placental cells
  • Proliferation of endometrial cells
  • Hyperplasia of uterine smooth muscle cells
  • Which statement best describes the physical changes of pregnancy?

  • They occur with startling speed and every woman reacts uniquely. (correct)
  • They are uncomfortable for every woman and occur at a similar pace.
  • They occur slowly and uniformly in all women.
  • They occur gradually and are reversible after childbirth.
  • What is the role of many adaptations during pregnancy?

    <p>To protect maternal homeostasis and meet the demands of both the mother and the fetus</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What occurs as a result of both hyperplasia and hypertrophy of myometrial cells?

    <p>Increase in uterine size</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which changes persist for life after childbirth?

    <p>Changes in the reproductive system</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the cause of thrush in neonates born to mothers with symptomatic vulvovaginal candidiasis?

    <p>Fungal infection</p> Signup and view all the answers

    During pregnancy, when do the ovaries reach their maximum size?

    <p>12th to 14th week</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why does ovulation cease during pregnancy?

    <p>Elevated levels of estrogen and progesterone</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which hormone production supports the pregnancy until about weeks 6 to 7?

    <p>Progesterone only</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What causes the breasts to increase in fullness, become tender, and grow larger throughout pregnancy?

    <p>Elevated levels of estrogen and progesterone</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What makes the nipples and the areola deeply pigmented during pregnancy?

    <p>Hormonal changes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What keeps the nipples lubricated for breastfeeding?

    <p>Tubercles of Montgomery (sebaceous glands)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What leads to striae (stretch marks) in approximately half of all pregnant women?

    <p>Tremendous breast growth</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens to the diameter of the main uterine artery during pregnancy?

    <p>It approximately doubles in size</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the spontaneous, irregular, and painless contractions that begin during the first trimester of pregnancy called?

    <p>Braxton Hicks contractions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the softening and compressibility of the lower uterine segment result in?

    <p>Exaggerated uterine anteflexion</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the acute hemodynamic change, termed supine hypotensive syndrome, cause during pregnancy?

    <p>Weakness, light-headedness, nausea, dizziness, or syncope</p> Signup and view all the answers

    At approximately what gestational weeks does the fundus reach its highest level, at the xiphoid process?

    <p>36 weeks</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term for the softening of the cervix due to vasocongestion and the influence of estrogen?

    <p>Goodell sign</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What causes Chadwick sign, a cyanosis or bluish purple discoloration of the cervix?

    <p>Increased vascularization of the cervix</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens to vaginal secretions during pregnancy?

    <p>They become more acidic, white, and thick</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does leukorrhea refer to during pregnancy?

    <p>Increase in whitish vaginal discharge</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does cervical ripening involve in preparation for labor?

    <p>Softening, effacement, and increased distensibility of the cervix</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens to the vaginal vault during pregnancy in preparation for birth?

    <p>It begins to lengthen</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the cause of uterine growth in early pregnancy?

    <p>Hyperplasia of uterine smooth muscle cells</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which factor causes the major component of myometrial growth after mid-gestation?

    <p>Mechanical stretch of uterine tissue by the growing fetus</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens to the diameter of the main uterine artery during pregnancy?

    <p>It increases significantly</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What causes Chadwick sign, a cyanosis or bluish purple discoloration of the cervix?

    <p>Increased blood flow to the cervix</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term for the softening of the cervix due to vasocongestion and the influence of estrogen?

    <p>Cervical ripening</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What keeps the nipples lubricated for breastfeeding?

    <p>Sebaceous gland secretions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What causes the breasts to increase in fullness, become tender, and grow larger throughout pregnancy?

    <p>Prolactin hormone secretion</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does cervical ripening involve in preparation for labor?

    <p>Increase in cervical length</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens to vaginal secretions during pregnancy?

    <p>They increase in volume and become more acidic.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the softening and compressibility of the lower uterine segment result in?

    <p>Facilitation of fetal descent and birth canal preparation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What causes thrush in neonates born to mothers with symptomatic vulvovaginal candidiasis?

    <p>Maternal-fetal transmission of Candida albicans.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the spontaneous, irregular, and painless contractions that begin during the first trimester of pregnancy called?

    <p>Braxton Hicks contractions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a potential consequence of symptomatic vulvovaginal candidiasis in pregnant women?

    <p>Oral infection in newborns known as thrush</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why are the ovaries not palpable after approximately the 12th to 14th week of gestation?

    <p>Because of the increased size of the uterus</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What causes the breasts to become highly vascular and the veins to become visible under the skin during pregnancy?

    <p>Elevated levels of estrogen and progesterone</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What leads to the appearance of striae (stretch marks) in approximately half of all pregnant women?

    <p>Changes in the connective tissue of the breasts</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of colostrum in pregnancy?

    <p>To nourish the newborn before breast milk is produced</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens to ovulation during pregnancy?

    <p>It ceases due to elevated levels of estrogen and progesterone</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What causes neonates born to mothers with symptomatic vulvovaginal candidiasis to develop an oral infection known as thrush?

    <p>Transmitted fungal infection from the mother</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is responsible for causing striae (stretch marks) in many pregnant women?

    <p>Connective tissue changes and breast growth</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What takes over the major production of progesterone around weeks 6 to 7 of pregnancy?

    <p>The placenta</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens to vaginal secretions during pregnancy?

    <p>They increase in quantity and become more acidic</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What causes the breasts to become tender and grow larger throughout pregnancy?

    <p>Influence of estrogen and progesterone</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why does ovulation cease during pregnancy?

    <p>Because progesterone blocks secretion of FSH and LH</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of the enlargement of the main uterine artery during pregnancy?

    <p>To accommodate the increased blood volume needed to supply the placenta</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term for the painless contractions that thin out or efface the cervix before birth?

    <p>Braxton Hicks contractions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What causes the supine hypotensive syndrome experienced by pregnant women?

    <p>The heavy gravid uterus falling back against the inferior vena cava</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the term 'lightening' refer to in pregnancy?

    <p>The fetal head descending and engaging into the pelvis</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of cervical ripening in preparation for labor?

    <p>To increase cervical elasticity and strength</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What physiological change occurs within the vagina during pregnancy?

    <p>Thickening of the vaginal mucosa</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of leukorrhea during pregnancy?

    <p>It is a normal increase in white, acidic vaginal discharge</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role does progesterone play in cervical changes during early pregnancy?

    <p>It forms a thick mucus plug to block the cervical os</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does Chadwick sign indicate during pregnancy?

    <p>&quot;Bluish purple discoloration&quot; of the cervix</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What changes occur to fundal height as pregnancy progresses?

    <p>It drops as the fetus begins to descend and engage into the pelvis between 38 and 40 weeks' gestation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What causes an increase in urinary frequency during early pregnancy?

    <p>Pressing of uterus on urinary bladder</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What physiological changes occur within the lower portion of the uterus (the isthmus) as pregnancy progresses?

    <p>Hypertrophy and increased thickness followed by descent into pelvic cavity</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Uterus and Pregnancy

    • During early pregnancy, myometrial cells increase in size.
    • The major component of myometrial growth after mid-gestation is due to estrogens.
    • Physical changes during pregnancy include uterine growth, breast changes, and cervical softening.

    Breast Changes

    • The breasts increase in fullness, become tender, and grow larger throughout pregnancy due to hormonal changes.
    • The nipples and areola become deeply pigmented during pregnancy due to hormonal changes.
    • The nipples are kept lubricated for breastfeeding by hormonal changes.

    Cervical Changes

    • The cervix softens due to vasocongestion and the influence of estrogen, known as Goodell's sign.
    • Chadwick sign is a cyanosis or bluish purple discoloration of the cervix caused by vasocongestion.
    • Cervical ripening involves softening, effacement, and dilatation in preparation for labor.

    Uterine and Arterial Changes

    • The diameter of the main uterine artery increases during pregnancy.
    • The softening and compressibility of the lower uterine segment result in Braxton Hicks contractions.

    Other Changes

    • Thrush in neonates born to mothers with symptomatic vulvovaginal candidiasis is caused by vertical transmission.
    • Striae (stretch marks) occur in approximately half of all pregnant women due to skin stretching.
    • Supine hypotensive syndrome is an acute hemodynamic change that causes lightheadedness in pregnant women.

    Labor Preparation

    • Cervical ripening involves softening, effacement, and dilatation in preparation for labor.
    • The vaginal vault prepares for birth by increasing secretions and expanding.
    • The fundus reaches its highest level at the xiphoid process around 36 weeks of gestation.

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    Description

    Explore the physiological changes that occur in a woman's body during pregnancy to accommodate the growing fetus. Understand how each system of the body adapts to support the needs of the developing human being.

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