FIRST PUBLISH SEPTEMBER 2024
PN 3003 -- Maternity and Pediatrics Exam
Study Guide with Complete Solutions
Possible Signs of Pregnancy - Answer✔✔-Amenorrhea, N&V, fatigue, breast changes, frequent urination
Probable Signs of Pregnancy - Answer✔✔-4-12 weeks: presence of hCG in blood
6-12 weeks: presence of hCG in urine
8+ weeks: uterine growth
16 weeks: Braxton Hicks
Positive Signs of Pregnancy - Answer✔✔-6+ weeks: Visually see fetus on ultrasound
20-24 weeks: Fetal heart sounds by fetal stethoscope
22+ weeks: Fetal movements felt by practitioner
Late Pregnancy: Fetal movements visible
Normal length of pregnancy - Answer✔✔-40 weeks
FSH in pregnancy - Answer✔✔-Low levels due to high levels of estrogen and progesterone
hCG levels in pregnancy - Answer✔✔-Peak in first trimester and then drop off
Estrogen levels in pregnancy - Answer✔✔-Increase during pregnancy
Progesterone levels in pregnancy - Answer✔✔-Increase during pregnancy
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FIRST PUBLISH SEPTEMBER 2024
LH in pregnancy - Answer✔✔-Low levels due to high levels of estrogen and progesterone
Prolactin in pregnancy - Answer✔✔-Increases
Pituitary growth hormone in pregnancy - Answer✔✔-Levels fall but overall serum levels increase due to
placental production
Oxytocin levels in pregnancys - Answer✔✔-Increase and peak at term
TSH in pregnancy - Answer✔✔-Production stimulated after first trimester (in healthy individuals not
normally significant)
Cortisol levels in pregnancy - Answer✔✔-
Gestational diabetes - Answer✔✔-A pregnant person can get diabetes when her pancreas cannot make
enough insulin to keep their blood sugar levels within a target range.
Cardiovascular changes in pregnancy - Answer✔✔-Peripheral vasodilation, cardiac output increases,
increased stroke volume, may be third heart sound after mid pregnancy, systolic flow murmurs are
common
Respiratory changes in pregnancy - Answer✔✔-Tidal volume increases (increasing vital capacity and
decreasing residual volume), increased oxygen consumption, possible SOB
GI system changes in pregnancy - Answer✔✔-N&V, appetite increases, heartburn, constipation,
gallbladder may dilate and empty less completely
Urinary changes in pregnancy - Answer✔✔-Renal blood flow increases. Possible glycosuria/proteinuria.
Water retention increases. Residual urine increases. Risk for UTIs increases
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, EMILLYCHARLOTTE 2024/2025 ACADEMIC YAER ©2024 EMILLYCHARLOTTE. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
FIRST PUBLISH SEPTEMBER 2024
Haematological changes in pregnancy - Answer✔✔-Plasma volume increases. RBCs increase. Demand for
iron increases. Clotting factors/fibrinogen increase. Serum albumin decreases.
Metabolic changes in pregnancy - Answer✔✔-Basal metabolic rate increases slowly. Active energy
expenditure falls. Weight gain (normal 11.4-15.9kg).
Skin changes in pregnancy - Answer✔✔-Hyperpigmentation of the umbilicus, nipples, abdominal midline
(linea nigra) and face (melasma (chloasma)) are common due to the hormonal changes of pregnancy.
Hyperdynamic circulation and high levels of estrogen may cause spider naevi and palmar erythema.
Striae gravidarum ('stretch marks') are common.
Musculoskeletal changes in pregnancy - Answer✔✔-Increased ligamental laxity caused by increased
levels of relaxin contribute to back pain and pubic symphysis dysfunction. Shift in posture with
exaggerated lumbar lordosis leading to the typical gait of late pregnancy.
Uterine changes in pregnancy - Answer✔✔-Increased to about 5x its normal size(h: 30cm, w: 23cm, d:
20cm) primarily because of progesterone
Vaginal changes in pregnancy - Answer✔✔-Becomes more elastic towards the end of pregnancy. These
changes enable it to dilate during the second stage of labour, as the baby passes down the birth canal.
Cervical changes in pregnancy - Answer✔✔-Remains 2.5 cm long throughout pregnancy. In late
pregnancy, softening of the cervix occurs in response to increasing painless contractions of its muscular
walls.
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