Reproductive System and Maternal-Child Nursing Review

This set contains key vocabulary terms and definitions regarding female and male reproductive anatomy, fetal development, stages of pregnancy, labor and delivery, and common obstetric complications as discussed in the lecture.

Clitoris

The erectile tissue located in the anterior portion of the labia minora that serves as the basis for female catheterization.

Ritgen’s Maneuver

A technique involving perineal support used to protect the area from overstretching during the delivery of the baby.

Episiotomy

A surgical incision made during the peak of a contraction to prevent perineal laceration; the most common type is mediolateral.

Doderlein’s bacillus

A type of bacteria that serves as normal vaginal flora, protecting the woman by maintaining an acidic environment.

Candida albicans

Also known as candidiasis or moniliasis, this yeast infection is characterized by a thick, yellowish creamy discharge and pruritus.

Trichomonas vaginalis

A vaginal infection characterized by a smelly, greenish-grayish frothy discharge.

Spinnbarkeit

The ability of cervical mucus to stretch; it reaches $6$ to $12\,cm$ when estrogen is high during the unsafe/ovulatory period.

Operculum

A mucus plug that fills the cervix during pregnancy to protect the fetus from potential infection.

Decidua

The name given to the endometrium during pregnancy, which can reach a thickness of $6\,cm$.

Lochia

The post-delivery discharge consisting of the shedding decidua, categorized by color and timing as rubra, serosa, and alba.

Braxton Hicks

Intermittent uterine contractions that begin around the $4^{th}$ month and become more significant at the $7^{th}$ month of pregnancy.

Ampulla

The distal portion or outer third of the fallopian tube where fertilization typically takes place.

Epididymis

The anatomical structure in the male reproductive system that serves as a storehouse for sperm.

Bulbourethral gland (Couper’s)

A gland stimulated during sexual arousal that cleanses the male urethra before ejaculation.

Goodell’s sign

A probable sign of pregnancy involving the softening of the cervix.

Chadwick’s sign

A probable sign of pregnancy characterized by a bluish discoloration of the cervix.

Quickening

The first fetal movements felt by the mother, occurring between $16$ to $18$ weeks for multipara and $18$ to $20$ weeks for primipara.

Leopold’s Maneuver

A systematic palpation of the pregnant woman's abdomen used to determine fetal position, lie, and presentation.

Organogenesis

The critical period of organ development occurring between the $3^{rd}$ and $8^{th}$ week of embryonic life.

Vernix caseosa

A cheesy, white substance covering the fetus that assists with temperature regulation.

L/S Ratio

The Lecithin/Sphingomyelin ratio; a value of $2:1$ at $35$ weeks indicates attained lung maturity.

Chloasma

Often referred to as the 'mask of pregnancy,' it is the darkening of facial skin over bony prominences due to estrogen.

Pica

The craving and ingestion of non-food items like clay or charcoal, often suggesting a nutritional deficiency.

Colostrum

A thick, yellow precursor to breast milk that is present as early as the $16^{th}$ week of pregnancy.

Hyatidiform Mole

A gestational trophoblastic disease where chorionic villi degenerate into fluid-filled, grape-like vesicles; ultrasound shows a 'snowstorm pattern.'

Placenta Previa

A condition where the placenta is implanted in the lower uterine segment, manifesting as painless, bright red bleeding in the last trimester.

Abruptio Placenta

An obstetric emergency involving the premature separation of the placenta characterized by sharp pain and a board-like abdomen.

Eclampsia

The most severe stage of pregnancy-induced hypertension, designated by the presence of grand mal seizures.

Vasectomy

A surgical procedure for male sterilization where the vas deferens is cut and tied.

Puerperium

The six-week period following childbirth during which the mother's reproductive organs return to their non-pregnant state.