Chapter 18 - Obstetrics - Conditions & Symptoms.

Front 1

Abortion

Back 1

Process of miscarrying; termination of the pregnancy before the fetus is viable

Front 2

Abruptio placentae

Back 2

Premature separation of a normally situated placenta after the 20th week of gestation

Front 3

Cervix

Back 3

The cervix is the lower third portion of the uterus which forms the neck of the uterus and opens into the vagina which is also called the endocervical canal. The narrow opening of the cervix is called the os. The cervical os allows menstrual blood to flow out from the vagina during menstruation. During pregnancy the cervical os closes to help keep the fetus in the uterus until birth. Another important function of the cervix occurs during labor when the cervix dilates, or widens, to allow the passage of the fetus from the uterus to the vagina.

Front 4

Dystocia

Back 4

Condition of difficult and painful childbirth

Front 5

Eclampsia 3

Back 5

Complication of severe preeclampsia/Toxemia/PIH Pregnancy-induced hypertension. Involves seizures, possibly coma. Usually seizures being before giving birth, but 20-25% caes, seizures begin within 24 hrs of giving birth and in a few cases, can continue upto 3 weeks.

Hint 5

Theory of cause: small clots that block blood vessels in brain and restrict oxygen, narrowing of tiny arteries in the brain, areaas of bleeding in brain, high BP, dietary risks, genetic risks and a problem with brain or nervous system.

Front 6

Ectopic pregnancy

Back 6

Pregnancy that occurs when the fertilized egg is implanted in one of various sites, most commonly a fallopian tube; also referred to as tubal pregnancy

Front 7

Fetal distress

Back 7

Condition evidencing that the fetus is in jeopardy, such as not getting adequate oxygen; can be noted by changes in fetal heart rate or fetal activity/movement

Front 8

Gestational diabetes

Back 8

Form of diabetes that appears in a woman during pregnancy (gestation); condition may or may not remain after the birth

Front 9

Gravida

Back 9

Refers to any pregnancy, regardless of duration, including the present one; when used in the recording of an obstetrical history indicates the number of pregnancies

Front 10

Hyperemesis gravidarum

Back 10

Excessive nausea and vomiting in pregnancy that can cause severe dehydration in the mother and fetus

Front 11

Incompetent cervix

Back 11

A painless dilation of cervix without contractions due to a functional or structural defect. Cervical incompetence is basically a cervix that is too weak to stay closed during a pregnancy. It is generally categorized as premature opening of the cervix without labor or contractions (http://pregnancy.about.com/cs/incompetentcervix/a/aaincomp.htm).

Front 12

Mastitis

Back 12

Inflammation of breast-commonly occurs in breastfeeding women. Cause: bacteria that enters through crack or abrasion of the nipple. Infections begins in one lobule but can extend to other areas of breast. General symptoms: fever, chills, and headache. Localized symptoms include breast pain, redness, tenderness, and swelling. usually difficulty in getting milk to flow and pain in nipple. Treatment includes: application of local heat to affected area and appropriate antibiotics (usu 10-day period) and anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce inflammation and relieve pain. Patient shoudl rest as much as possible, drink plenty of fluids and breastfeed more often, especially from infected breast. Breastfeeding helps keep breast emptied and relieve fullness. If breastfeeding too painful or does not relieve fullness, a breast pump may be used. Electric breast pump generally empties breast. If symptoms not better within 48 hours after starting antibiotics or a tender breast lump develops that is not relieved by nursing, patient should contact physician. Baby can develop yeast infection that can occur due to antibiotics taken by mother. Antibiotics can change normal body flora, thereby making suckling baby more susceptible to Candida albicans. Most common type of yeast infection seen in child is thrush, characterized by fever, creamy, white, curdlike patches of exudate on an inflammed tongue or buccal (cheek) mucosa.

Front 13

Nulligravida

Back 13

Woman who has never been pregnant; Gravida 0

Front 14

Placenta previa

Back 14

Condition in which the placenta is improperly implanted in the lower uterine segment

Front 15

Polyhydramnios

Back 15

Excessive amniotic fluid in the bag of waters during pregnancy

Front 16

Preeclampsia/Toxemia/Pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH)

Back 16

Complication of pregnancy. Characteristic: 1) increasing hypertension, 2) proteinuria (abnormal concentrations of urinary protein), and 3) edema.
Symptoms: include agitation and confusion, changes in mental status, decreased urine output, headaches, nausea and vomiting, pain in right upper part of abdomen, shortness of breath, sudden weight gain over 1-2 days and weight gain of more than 2 pounds per week, swelling of face or hands, and visual impairment.
Condition can be mild or severe. Develops in approx 5% of pregnant woman and usually occurs after 20th week of pregnancy.
Some experts believe that preeclampsia caused by problem with placenta. Mother has spasms of blood vessels which increase her blood pressure, impairing blood flow to placenta.
High BP can also affect woman's brain, kidneys, liver, and lungs. Factors that increase risk of PIH are: African American ethnicity; younger than 20 or older than 35, first pregnancy, low SES, and multiple gestation such as twins or triplets. also PIH or eclampsia in previous pregnancies, diabetes, high BP before pregnancy, underlying kidney disease and if either parents were born of a pregnancy in which expectant developed PIH or eclampsia.

Front 17

Preterm deliveries.

Back 17

Pregnancy losses after 20th week of gestation.

Front 18

Preterm labor

Back 18

Premature labor that occurs after 20 weeks but before the completion of 37 weeks of gestation

Front 19

Pseudocyesis

Back 19

False pregnancy

Front 20

SAB/Spontaneous abortion/Miscarriage

Back 20

Loss of fetus due to natural causes occurring during first 20 weeks of gestation. Estimated that up to 50% of all fertilized eggs die and are aborted spontaneously usually before woman knows that she is pregnant. Studies reveal that from 10%-25 % of all clinically recognized pregnancies end in miscarriages. Most miscarriages occur during first 13 weeks of pregnancy. Most common causes: chromosomal abnormalities of embryo, abnormalities of placenta, endocrine disturbances, acute infectious diseases, severe trauma, and shock. Lifestyle such as use of certain drugs, alcohol, or excessive caffeine can also cause SAB.

Front 21

Secundines

Back 21

Afterbirth consisting of the placenta, umbilical cord, and the fetal membranes.

Front 22

Toxoplasmosis.

Back 22

Condition caused by protozoan, Toxoplasma gondii, which is found in many mammals e.g. cats, birds. Transplacental transmission can occur during an acute infection of the mother and is very serious in fetus. The congenital form is characterized by destructive lesions of central nervous system, jaundice, anemia, and generalized lymphadenopathy.