Concepts Of Maternal-Child Nursing And Families

Common Obstetrical Terms—KNOW THIS ▶ Gestation- The number of weeks of pregnancy since the first day of the last menstrual period. ▶ Term- The normal duration of pregnancy. 38-42 gestation ▶ Preterm/Premature- Labor that occurs after 20 weeks but before completing 37 weeks gestation ▶ Post term- After delivery ▶ Post term labor- Labor after 42 weeks ▶ Antepartum- Still pregnant, during pregnancy ▶ Intrapartum-The time from the onset of true labor until the birth of the infant and delivery of the placenta. ▶ Nullipara- A woman who has not delivered a viable fetus more than 20 weeks gestation ▶ Primipara- A woman who has given birth to her first child (past the point of viability), whether or not that child is living or was alive at birth. ▶ Postpartum- After giving birth. ▶ Nulligravida- Never been pregnant. ▶ Primigravida- First birth. ▶ Multigravida- Pregnant more than once. ▶ Abortion- Before 20 weeks. Birth fetus weighing less than 500g. Abbreviated as “ab” ▶ Stillbirth- Delivery of a dead infant. ▶ Gravida- Any pregnancy regardless of duration. Includes present pregnancy. Abbreviated as “G” ▶ Para- Denotes the # of pregnancies NOT the number of fetuses. Birth after 20 weeks gestation. Doesn’t matter if infant is born alive or dead. Abbreviated as p. ▶ Multipara-Woman who has had two or more births at more that 20 weeks • 20-37 week preterm labor • Before 20 weeksà abortion • Twins/triplets/quadruplets counted as one pregnancy! Pregnancy & Trimester ▶ Pregnancy- Period between conception through complete birth of the products of conception. ▶ Pregnancy is divided into three trimesters The nurse must be aware of: Physical, emotional, and, psychological changes. Discomforts that accompany each trimester. Danger or warning signs that need medical referral. • First 13 weeks is the first trimester. 2 • The second trimester is 14-26 weeks. • The third is 27-42 weeks. • Estrogen is what makes you look like you do. ( large boobs, elasticity.) • Progesterone is known as the “hormone of pregnancy” and has many roles relating to the development of the fetus. Reproductive System Changes (Physiologic & Psychological Changes) Uterus: Increased amounts of estrogen and growing fetus: ▶ Before Pregnancy: • Small • Solid • Pear-Shaped ▶ Pregnancy = Estrogen and growing fetus cx hypertrophy of Myometrial cells 1/6 of total blood vL is contained in uterine vasculature by end of pregnancy. ▶ Enlargement in : o Size—Palpable by the end of the 12th week above the symphysis pubis o By end of 12 weeksàPear to globular shape ▶ Increase in weight, strength, elasticity, and vascularity ▶ Hyperplasia ▶ Lightening- Descent of the fetal head into the pelvis ▶ Hegar’s sign- Softening of the lower uterine segment-Isthmus bw the uterine and cervix