Obstetrics and Fetal Development Practice Flashcards

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering fetal development milestones, maternal changes, and genetic inheritance patterns based on the lecture notes.

Lanugo

Fine hair covering the fetus that becomes visible around $20$ weeks' gestation.

Quickening

The first fetal movement felt by the mother, typically occurring between $16$ and $20$ weeks' gestation.

Vernix caseosa

A protective substance that appears on fetal skin around $17$ to $20$ weeks' gestation.

Viability

The milestone reached around $24$ weeks' gestation when a fetus has a chance of survival if born prematurely.

Surfactant

A substance produced by the lungs beginning around $24$ weeks' gestation that is necessary for alveolar structure and lung maturity.

Hyperemesis gravidarum

A condition characterized by persistent nausea and vomiting throughout the day, leading to dehydration, weight loss, and electrolyte imbalances.

Linea nigra

A dark line development across the client's abdomen caused by increased melanocyte-stimulating hormones during pregnancy.

Chloasma

Known as the "mask of pregnancy," these are skin changes or spots that appear on the face during the second trimester.

Organogenesis

The process of organ system formation which is considered complete by week $8$ of gestation.

Autosomal recessive disorder

A genetic condition, such as Tay-Sachs disease, where a child must inherit two defective copies of a gene to be affected.

X-linked recessive disorder

A genetic condition, such as Hemophilia A, where affected individuals are usually male and carrier mothers have a 50\text{%} chance of transmitting the disorder to male children.

Menses phase

The first phase of the menstrual cycle (Days $1$ through $5$) involving the shedding of the uterine lining.

Proliferative phase

The second phase of the menstrual cycle (Days $6$ through $14$) where estrogen rebuilds the endometrium.

Secretory phase

The third phase of the menstrual cycle (Days $15$ through $26$) where progesterone prepares the uterus for implantation.

Ischemic phase

The final phase of the menstrual cycle (Days $27$ through $28$) where blood supply decreases and the lining breaks down if no pregnancy occurs.

Fundal height at $20$ weeks

A common NCLEX landmark where the fundus is located at the umbilicus.

Fundal height at $36$ weeks

A common NCLEX landmark where the fundus reaches the xiphoid process.

Lightening

A phenomenon at $40$ weeks' gestation where the fundal height becomes slightly lower as the fetus descends.

Brown fat

A specific type of fat that develops between $17$ and $20$ weeks' gestation used for fetal temperature regulation.

Neural tube

The structure that begins forming in week $3$ and closes in week $4$, eventually becoming the brain and spinal cord.

Braxton Hicks contractions

A normal third-trimester finding described as mild, irregular, non-painful "practice" contractions.

Leukorrhea

An increased clear or white vaginal discharge that is considered a normal pregnancy discomfort.