Antepartum and Labor/Delivery Questions and Answers

GTPAL system - Answer-G=Gravidity (pregnancy) T=Term birth P=Preterm births A=Abortions or miscarriages L=Living children Chadwick sign - Answer-a change in the color of the vaginal mucosa and cervix to a violet-bluish due to increased vascularity; it may be evident as early as the 6th week but is easily noted at the 8th week of pregnancy Hegar sign - Answer-Softening and compressibility of the lower uterine segment (isthmus) this is classified as a probable sign of pregnancy and that may be present during the 2nd and 3rd months of pregnancy and is palpated during bimanual examination. Causes urinary frequency Presumptive signs - Answer-Indicators that women MAY be pregnant: Amenorrhea; Nauseas and vomiting; frequent urination; Breast changes; Change in the shape of the abdomen; Quickening; Skin changes; Chadwick's sign. Probable signs - Answer-Physiological. Are more reliable than presumptive, but still are not positive. 1)goodell signs 2)chadwick sign 3)hegar signs 4)positive pregnancy result (serum & urine) 5)braxton hicks contractions 6)ballottement Chloasma - Answer-AKA melasma or mask of pregnancy. Blotchy, brownish hyperpigmentation of the skin over the cheeks, nose, and forehead, esp. in dark-complexioned pregnant women. Usually fades after birth. Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy - Answer-"morning sickness" -- hyperemesis Common morning symptom, 2-12 weeks. BMI and weight gain during pregnancy - Answer-3.5-5lb during 1st tri; 0.9lb thereafter; total should be 25-35 lbs Alcohol during pregnancy - Answer-For every 10, 1 baby has it. Most preventable cause of disability FAS- Fetal alcohol syndrome; Permanent damage; Malformation, retarded physical and mental development, small size; No amount of alcohol is safe during pregnancy. Limits oxygen delivery to the fetus, slows cell division and reduces the number of cells organs produce