Care of the Mother and Fetus During Antenatal and Intrapartal Care

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering key definitions, gestational milestones, diagnostic signs, monitoring techniques, teratogenic terms, and labor mechanics from the maternal and fetal care lecture.

Prenatal Care

Regular check-ups and medical assessments during pregnancy to monitor the health of both the pregnant person and the developing fetus.

Last Menstrual Period (LMP)

The first day (onset of bleeding) of the last menstrual period before falling pregnant.

Antenatal / Prenatal

Before birth.

Intrapartal

During birth.

Postnatal / Postpartum

After birth.

Cephalocaudal

Head to toe.

Organogenesis

Organ formation.

Surfactant

A phospholipid substance in the lungs that prevents alveolar collapse and improves the infant's ability to maintain respirations in the outside environment at birth, appearing around the 24th week.

Meconium

A collection of cellular wastes, bile, fats, mucoproteins, and mucopolysaccharides.

Vernix caseosa

A lubricating substance that forms on the fetal skin.

Ballottement

A method of diagnosing pregnancy in which the uterus is pushed with a finger to feel whether a fetus moves away and returns again.

Braxton Hicks contractions

Uterine contractions characteristic of false labor.

Hegar's sign

Softening of the lower segment of the uterus.

Goodell's sign

Softening of the cervix.

Chadwick's sign

Bluish color of the vulva, vagina, and cervix.

Lightening

The settling or dropping lower of the baby into the mother's pelvis at the end of the third trimester, occurring approximately 10 to 14 days before labor.

Linea nigra

A dark line that develops on the stomach during pregnancy.

Melasma

An increase in the amount of melanin in the body triggered by hormones.

Montgomery's tubercles

Tubercles located around the nipples.

Couvade syndrome

Symptoms experienced by the husband upon the onset of pregnancy.

Diastasis recti

The separation of the rectus abdominis muscles during and after pregnancy.

Leukorrhea

A thin, milky white, and odorless normal vaginal discharge that increases during pregnancy to keep the vagina infection-free.

Sims position

A left-side sleeping position recommended for pregnant mothers.

Primigravida

A woman who is pregnant for the first time.

Primipara

A woman who has completed a pregnancy reaching 20 weeks age of gestation (AOG).

Preterm

An age of gestation (AOG) that reaches 20 weeks but ends before the completion of 37 weeks.

Term

An age of gestation (AOG) spanning 38 to 41 weeks.

Viability

The capacity of the fetus to live outside the uterus, occurring between 22 and 25 weeks AOG.

Postterm

An age of gestation (AOG) of more than 42 weeks.

Gravida

A pregnant woman.

Gravidity

The state or condition of pregnancy.

Parity

The number of pregnancies in which the fetus or fetuses have reached 20 weeks of gestation.

Multigravida

A woman who has been pregnant two or more times.

Multipara

A woman who has had two or more pregnancies that reached 20 weeks AOG.

Nulligravida

A woman who has never been pregnant.

Nullipara

A woman who has not completed a pregnancy with a fetus beyond 20 weeks AOG.

Age of Gestation (AOG)

The process or period of fetal development inside the womb between conception and birth.

1st trimester

0 to 12 weeks

2nd trimester

13-24 weeks

3rd trimester

25 to 40 weeks

GTPAL

A five-digit system describing obstetrical history: Gravidity (total pregnancies), Term (37+ weeks), Preterm (20-36.6 weeks), Abortion (losses prior to 20 weeks), and Living children.

Naegele's Rule

A formula used to estimate due date based on a 28-day cycle and 280-day gestation period: subtract 3 months, add 7 days, and add 1 year to the LMP (or add 7 days and 9 months).

Presumptive Signs

Subjective signs of pregnancy felt by the woman, such as absent period, tiredness, enlarged breasts, increased urination, quickening, and nausea/emesis.

Probable Signs

Objective signs of pregnancy observed by an examiner, including positive pregnancy test, ballottement, palpated fetal outline, Braxton Hicks contractions, Goodell's sign, Chadwick's sign, Hegar's sign, and uterine enlargement.

Positive Signs

Diagnostic signs confirming pregnancy, including fetal movement felt by a doctor/nurse, electronic detection of fetal heart tones, delivery of the baby, ultrasound detection, and visible fetal movement.

PICA

A condition in which a pregnant woman craves non-food substances such as dirt or soap, indicating an iron deficiency.

Tetanus toxoid injection

• important cause of infant death that is due primarily to unsanitary conditions at childbirth

• 0.5 mL, IM

Pregnancy test (hCG)

Confirms pregnancy

CBC

Detects anemia, infections

Blood typing & rh factor

Determines Rh incompatibility risk

Urinalysis

Screens for uti, protein, glucose

Blood glucose screening

Screens for early onset gestational diabetes

Transvaginal ultrasound

Confirms gestational age, fetal heartbeat

Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)

Detects neural tube defects (spina bifida)

Oral glucose tolerance test

Screens for gestational diabetes

Amniocentesis

Detects genetic/chromosomal conditions

Ultrasound

Checks for growth, position, amniotic fluid, placenta

Biophysical profile

Combines nst + ultrasound (movement, tone, breathing, amniotic fluid)

Cervical exam

Assess dilation, effacement, fetal station

McDonald's rule

A symphysis–fundal height measurement in centimeters using a tape measure from the notch of the symphysis pubis to the top of the uterine fundus, equal to the gestational age in weeks between weeks 20 and 31.

Physical examination

second step in evaluating fetal health.

maternal weight and general appearance

nutrition may not be adequate for sound fetal growth.

Bruises

intimate partner violence that could have bruised the fetus as well

elevated blood pressure

may be the beginning of hypertension of pregnancy, which can restrict fetal growth

Over the symphysis pubis

12 weeks

At the umbilicus

20 weeks

At the xiphoid process

36 weeks

Non-Stress Test (NST)

A cardiotocography test that measures the response of the fetal heart rate to fetal movement.

Fetal heart beat

heard as early as 10th to 11 week

External fetal heart monitoring

uses a device to listen to and record your baby’s heartbeat through your belly

Doppler ultrasound device

often used during prenatal visits to count the baby’s heart rate.

Internal fetal monitoring

• involves placing a electrode directly on the fetal scalp through the cervix.

• evaluate fetal heart rate and variability between beats, especially in relation to the uterine contractions of labor

Quickening

fetal movement that can be felt by the mother

Rhythm Strip Testing

• semi- Fowler’s position

• Attach an external fetal heart rate monitor abdominally.

• Record the fetal heart rate for 20 minutes.

sonogram

detect a retained placenta or poor uterine involution in the new mother

Vibroacoustic Stimulation

The application of a specially designed acoustic stimulator to the mother's abdomen that produces a sharp sound of approximately 80 dB at 80 Hz to startle and awaken the fetus.

biophysical profile (BPP)

• a prenatal ultrasound that uses a scoring system to assess the health of your baby during pregnancy

• utilizes a non-stress test to evaluate fetal heartbeat

score of 8 to 10

fetus is considered to be doing well.

score of 6

considered suspicious.

score of 4

denotes a fetus potentially in jeopardy.

preeclampsia

pregnancy-related high blood pressure

gestational diabetes

type of diabetes that occurs during pregnancy

Hypotension

expansion of the blood vessel and increase in blood volume

Palmar Erythema

increased estrogen and increased blood volume

Nausea and Vomiting

increased HCG levels

Constipation

increased progesterone levels

Pyrosis (heartburn)

combination of hormonal changes and the growing uterus putting pressure on the stomach and slower digestion

Fatigue

linked to hormonal changes (especially rising progesterone levels), increased blood

volume, and the physical demands of carrying a growing baby.

Muscle Cramps

hormone and diet changes can decrease your calcium and magnesium levels.; circulation changes, dehydration, muscle fatigue and weight gain

Varicosities

Pregnancy causes a significant increase in blood volume to support the growing fetus, which can put extra pressure on the veins

Hemorrhoids

swollen veins in the anus and rectum

Heart Palpitations

increased blood volume and hormonal changes

Frequent Urination

growing uterus putting pressure on the bladder

Abdominal Discomfort

normal physiological changes like uterine stretching and hormonal shifts

Muscular/Skeletal Discomfort

Lower back pain, pelvic girdle pain, and hip pain

Headache

• hormone changes

• tension from carrying extra weight

Dyspnea

Increased progesterone levels, oxygen needs increase , and the growing uterus and baby put pressure on the diaphragm

Ankle Edema

increased fluid volume and pressure from the growing uterus on the veins in the lower body

Shortness of Breath

uterus presses on diaphragm

Round Ligament Pain

stretching of ligaments supporting uterus