2/24/25, 12:36 PM
LUSL4084
Maternity Readings
- Saunders
Comprehensive
Review for the
Nclex-Rn
Examination
about:blank 1/75
,2/24/25, 12:36 PM
Maternity Readings 1
Chapter 26 - Reproductive System
1. Female Reproductive
Structures Ovaries ◻ form and expel ova, secrete
estrogen and progesterone
Fallopian Tubes ◻ muscular tubes lying near the ovaries and connected to the uterus,
tubes that propel
the ova from the ovaries to the uterus
Uterus ◻ muscular pear shaped cavity in which the fetus develops, cavity from
which menstruation occurs
Cervix ◻ the internal os of the cervix opens into the body of the uterine cavity,
located between the internal os and the external os which opens into the vagina
Vagina ◻ muscular tube that extends from the cervix to the vaginal opening in the
perineum, known as the birth canal, passageway for menstrual blood flow, for
penis for intercourse, and for the fetus
2. Male Reproductive Structures
Penis ◻ structures include the body, shaft, glans penis, and urethra – primary
functions include pathway for urination and is the organ for intercourse
Scrotum ◻ structures include the testes, epididymis, and van deferens – normal
temperature is slightly cooler than body temperature
Prostate Gland ◻ secretes a milky alkaline fluid – enhances sperm movement and
neutralizes acidic vaginal secretions
3. Menstrual Cycle
Ovarian Hormones ◻ released by the anterior pituitary gland, include follicle-
stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) – hormones produce
changes in the ovaries and in the endometrium – menstrual cycle, the regularly
recurring physiological changes in the endometrium that culminate in its shedding,
may vary in length, with the average length being about 28 days
4. Female Pelvis and Measurements
True Pelvis ◻ lies below the pelvic brim, consists of the pelvic inlet, midpelvis, and pelvis
outlet
about:blank 1/75
,2/24/25, 12:36 PM
False Pelvis ◻ shallow portion above the pelvic brim, supports the abdominal viscera
Types of Pelvis ◻
- Gynecoid: normal female pelvis, transversely rounded or blunt
- Anthropoid: oval shape, adequate outlet with narrow public arch
- Android: heart-shaped/angulated, resembles a male pelvis, not
favourable for labour & birth, narrow pelvic planes can cause slow
descent and mid-pelvic arrest
- Platypelloid: flat with an oval inlet, wide transverse diameter, but
short antero-posterior diameter, making labour and birth difficult
about:blank 2/75
, 2/24/25, 12:36 PM
Maternity Readings 2
5. Fertilization and Implantation
Fertilization ◻ occurs in the ampulla of the fallopian tube when sperm and ovum
unite, when fertilized, the membrane of the ovum undergoes changes that
prevent entry of other sperm, each reproductive cell carriers 23 chromosomes
– sperm catty an X or a Y (XY male, XX female)
Implantation ◻ the zygote is propelled toward the uterus and implants 6-8 days after
ovulation
6. Fetal
Development Preembryonic period ◻ first 2
weeks after conception
Embryonic period ◻ beginning on day 15 through approximetly the 8th week after
conception
Fetal period ◻ beginning at the 9 th week after conception and ending with birth
Weeks 2 – 3 Lung buds appear – blood circulation begins, heart is tubular
and begins to beat Week 5 Double heart chambers appear, heart is
beating
Week 8 Eyelids begin to form – every organ is present
Week 12 Face is well formed – limbs are long – kidneys begin to produce
urine – spontaneous movement – heartbeat by Doppler 10-12
weeks – can see gender
Week 16 Active movements, fetal skin is transparent –
hair develops Week 20 Nails develops – muscles
develops – heartbeat by fetoscope Week 24 Skin is
reddish – reflex hand grasp functions – fetus can hear
Week 28 Limbs are well flexed – brain is developing rapidly –
lungs developed Week 32 Bones fully develop
Week 36 Skin is pink and body is round/less
wrinkled Week 40
7. Fetal Environment
about:blank 3/75
LUSL4084
Maternity Readings
- Saunders
Comprehensive
Review for the
Nclex-Rn
Examination
about:blank 1/75
,2/24/25, 12:36 PM
Maternity Readings 1
Chapter 26 - Reproductive System
1. Female Reproductive
Structures Ovaries ◻ form and expel ova, secrete
estrogen and progesterone
Fallopian Tubes ◻ muscular tubes lying near the ovaries and connected to the uterus,
tubes that propel
the ova from the ovaries to the uterus
Uterus ◻ muscular pear shaped cavity in which the fetus develops, cavity from
which menstruation occurs
Cervix ◻ the internal os of the cervix opens into the body of the uterine cavity,
located between the internal os and the external os which opens into the vagina
Vagina ◻ muscular tube that extends from the cervix to the vaginal opening in the
perineum, known as the birth canal, passageway for menstrual blood flow, for
penis for intercourse, and for the fetus
2. Male Reproductive Structures
Penis ◻ structures include the body, shaft, glans penis, and urethra – primary
functions include pathway for urination and is the organ for intercourse
Scrotum ◻ structures include the testes, epididymis, and van deferens – normal
temperature is slightly cooler than body temperature
Prostate Gland ◻ secretes a milky alkaline fluid – enhances sperm movement and
neutralizes acidic vaginal secretions
3. Menstrual Cycle
Ovarian Hormones ◻ released by the anterior pituitary gland, include follicle-
stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) – hormones produce
changes in the ovaries and in the endometrium – menstrual cycle, the regularly
recurring physiological changes in the endometrium that culminate in its shedding,
may vary in length, with the average length being about 28 days
4. Female Pelvis and Measurements
True Pelvis ◻ lies below the pelvic brim, consists of the pelvic inlet, midpelvis, and pelvis
outlet
about:blank 1/75
,2/24/25, 12:36 PM
False Pelvis ◻ shallow portion above the pelvic brim, supports the abdominal viscera
Types of Pelvis ◻
- Gynecoid: normal female pelvis, transversely rounded or blunt
- Anthropoid: oval shape, adequate outlet with narrow public arch
- Android: heart-shaped/angulated, resembles a male pelvis, not
favourable for labour & birth, narrow pelvic planes can cause slow
descent and mid-pelvic arrest
- Platypelloid: flat with an oval inlet, wide transverse diameter, but
short antero-posterior diameter, making labour and birth difficult
about:blank 2/75
, 2/24/25, 12:36 PM
Maternity Readings 2
5. Fertilization and Implantation
Fertilization ◻ occurs in the ampulla of the fallopian tube when sperm and ovum
unite, when fertilized, the membrane of the ovum undergoes changes that
prevent entry of other sperm, each reproductive cell carriers 23 chromosomes
– sperm catty an X or a Y (XY male, XX female)
Implantation ◻ the zygote is propelled toward the uterus and implants 6-8 days after
ovulation
6. Fetal
Development Preembryonic period ◻ first 2
weeks after conception
Embryonic period ◻ beginning on day 15 through approximetly the 8th week after
conception
Fetal period ◻ beginning at the 9 th week after conception and ending with birth
Weeks 2 – 3 Lung buds appear – blood circulation begins, heart is tubular
and begins to beat Week 5 Double heart chambers appear, heart is
beating
Week 8 Eyelids begin to form – every organ is present
Week 12 Face is well formed – limbs are long – kidneys begin to produce
urine – spontaneous movement – heartbeat by Doppler 10-12
weeks – can see gender
Week 16 Active movements, fetal skin is transparent –
hair develops Week 20 Nails develops – muscles
develops – heartbeat by fetoscope Week 24 Skin is
reddish – reflex hand grasp functions – fetus can hear
Week 28 Limbs are well flexed – brain is developing rapidly –
lungs developed Week 32 Bones fully develop
Week 36 Skin is pink and body is round/less
wrinkled Week 40
7. Fetal Environment
about:blank 3/75
