Maternal-Newborn and Reproductive Health Review

Comprehensive practice vocabulary flashcards covering obstetrical fundamentals, teratogenic drugs, fetal circulation, diagnostic testing, genetic inheritance, maternal adaptations, and reproductive pathophysiology.

Placenta Previa

An obstetric condition in which the placenta is located abnormally low, covering or situated at the opening of the cervix.

Placental Abruption

A serious pregnancy complication characterized by the premature separation or tearing of the placenta away from the uterine wall.

HELLP Syndrome

A severe pregnancy complication and variant of preeclampsia critical for labor and delivery nurses to identify, involving hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count.

Eclampsia

The progression of preeclampsia marked by the onset of tonic-clonic seizures in a pregnant woman.

Preeclampsia

A high-risk hypertensive condition of pregnancy that places the mother at high risk for worsening maternal-fetal compromise and advancing to eclampsia with seizures.

Tocolytics

A class of medications indicated to suppress or inhibit uterine contractions in cases of threatened preterm labor.

Naegele's Rule

A standard clinical formula used to calculate the estimated date of delivery (due date) by taking the first day of the last menstrual period, subtracting $3$ months, adding $7$ days, and adding $1$ year.

Rh Incompatibility

A blood condition that occurs when an Rh-negative mother carries an Rh-positive fetus, causing the mother's immune system to treat the fetal blood as foreign.

RhoGAM

An immune globulin administered to an Rh-negative mother during the $7\text{th}$ month of pregnancy and again postpartum (if the newborn is Rh-positive) to prevent the production of maternal Rh antibodies.

Maternal Rh Antibodies

Immune proteins formed by an Rh-negative mother that destroy the erythrocytes of subsequent Rh-positive fetuses, leading to fetal anemia and requiring early blood transfusions.

Gravida

The total number of times a woman has been pregnant, regardless of the pregnancy outcome or duration.

Para

The number of pregnancies that reach clinical viability (or resulting delivered babies), regardless of whether the infant is born alive or stillborn.

Gravida 1 Para 2

An obstetrical history designation indicating a woman who has experienced one single pregnancy that resulted in the birth of twins.

Gravida 5 Para 0

An obstetrical history designation indicating a woman who has been pregnant $5$ times with zero pregnancies reaching viability, indicating recurrent miscarriages or pregnancy loss requiring diagnostic and genetic testing.

Sickle Cell Disease Inheritance

An autosomal recessive genetic pattern where both parents must carry the gene; each child has a $25\%$ chance of being affected, a $50\%$ chance of being a carrier, and a $25\%$ chance of inheriting neither gene.

Teratogenic Medications

Pharmaceutical agents capable of crossing the placenta and causing fetal abnormalities, structural malformations, or embryonic death during development.

Beta Blockers in Pregnancy

A class of cardiovascular medications identified as teratogenic that requires careful avoidance or risk-benefit consideration in pregnancy.

Sertraline

A selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) identified in the lecture as the psychotropic medication that is FDA-approved for use in pregnant women.

Statins

Cholesterol-lowering medications that are contraindicated during pregnancy due to their teratogenic effects on the developing fetus.

Lithium in Pregnancy

A psychotropic mood stabilizer that acts as a teratogen, specifically associated with severe congenital cardiac malformations (Ebstein's anomaly).

Warfarin

An oral anticoagulant blood thinner identified as teratogenic and contraindicated during pregnancy.

ACE Inhibitors

Antihypertensive medications that are strictly teratogenic and harmful to fetal renal development, contraindicated in pregnancy.

Methotrexate

An antimetabolite and immunosuppressant that causes severe teratogenic harm, embryonic destruction, and fetal anomalies.

Retin-A

A dermatologic acne medication requiring female patients to sign an agreement committing to reliable birth control because of its extreme teratogenicity.

Carbamazepine

An anticonvulsant and mood-stabilizing medication noted for its severe teratogenic risks to a developing embryo.

Phenytoin

An anti-seizure medication identified as teratogenic, causing significant structural defects if taken during gestation.

Phenobarbital

A barbiturate anticonvulsant medication identified in lecture as teratogenic to the human fetus.

First Eight Weeks of Gestation

The embryonic stage and most vital phase of pregnancy, during which primary organogenesis and structural organ development take place.

Placenta

The maternal-fetal organ that originates nutrients, oxygen, and metabolic exchange, delivering them to the fetus via the umbilical cord.

Umbilical Cord

The vascular structure that connects the fetus to the placenta, transporting oxygenated blood and nutrients to the baby and carrying waste away.

Rupture of Membranes (ROM) Infection Risk

The primary clinical danger following the breakdown of amniotic membranes, predisposing both mother and fetus to ascending bacterial infection.

Meconium-Stained Fluid

Amniotic fluid that is discolored due to the passage of fetal stool in utero, requiring careful delivery monitoring without universally necessitating an immediate cesarean section.

39-Week Gestation Rule

The clinical threshold before which medical induction of labor is generally restricted unless an urgent medical indication is present.

Pitocin

The synthetic, man-made intravenous formulation of oxytocin administered to stimulate uterine contractions and induce labor.

Normal Amniotic Fluid Volume

The expected physiological volume of amniotic fluid near term, approximately $700$ to $1{,}000\,cm^3$ (or $800$ to $1{,}000\,cm^3$).

Oligohydramnios

An abnormally low level of amniotic fluid below the expected physiological volume, often indicating impaired fetal kidney function or restriction of fetal movement.

Polyhydramnios

An excessive accumulation of amniotic fluid above normal physiological limits.

Vasectomy Reversal Complication

A source of male infertility resulting in low sperm count, caused by localized scar tissue and the male immune system forming autoantibodies against its own sperm.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

An endocrine and ovulatory disorder characterized by hormonal imbalances that serves as a common cause of female infertility.

Endometriosis

A condition characterized by ectopic endometrial tissue that can cause structural damage to the fallopian tubes and uterus, impairing female fertility.

Early Menopause Signs

Premature cessation of ovarian function characterized clinically by hot flashes, night sweats, and amenorrhea in a woman attempting conception.

Amenorrhea

The abnormal absence or suppression of normal menstrual periods.

Fetal Circulation

The specialized prenatal circulatory pathway that directs oxygenated blood from the placenta to vital organs and shuttles deoxygenated waste back to maternal circulation, opposite to adult flow.

Ductus Venosus

A specialized fetal vascular shunt that directs oxygenated blood from the umbilical vein into the inferior vena cava, bypassing the fetal liver.

Ballottement

A physical assessment technique where a gentle tap or upward push against the cervix causes an unengaged, floating fetus to rise in fluid and rebound back to tap the examiner's finger.

Quickening Window

The gestational timeframe, typically between $18$ and $20$ weeks (and occasionally as early as $16$ weeks), when an expectant mother first perceives fetal movements.

Normal Fetal Heart Rate

The baseline baseline fetal heart rate range, defined as $110$ to $160$ beats per minute (or $120$ to $160$ beats per minute).

GTPAL

A standardized obstetrical documentation system representing Gravida (pregnancies), Term births, Preterm births, Abortions, and Living children.

Goodell's Sign

A probable sign of pregnancy characterized by the clinical softening of the cervix.

Braxton Hicks Contractions

Irregular, painless or mildly uncomfortable uterine contractions that mimic true labor without producing cervical dilation.

Nonstress Test (NST)

An external fetal monitoring procedure that evaluates fetal heart rate patterns and accelerations in response to spontaneous fetal movements without applying uterine stress.

Reactive Nonstress Test

A reassuring and normal nonstress test result indicating healthy fetal autonomic nervous system function and adequate fetal oxygenation.

Nonreactive Nonstress Test

An abnormal or non-reassuring nonstress test finding requiring fetal awakening interventions (cold drinks, position changes, vibroacoustic stimulation) or follow-up testing.

Contraction Stress Test (CST)

A diagnostic assessment that evaluates fetal heart rate responses and placental sufficiency under the stress of induced uterine contractions (via nipple stimulation or oxytocin).

Negative Contraction Stress Test

A normal and reassuring contraction stress test result demonstrating that the fetus tolerates contractions without showing late decelerations.

Positive Contraction Stress Test

An abnormal contraction stress test result demonstrating fetal decelerations or signs of distress during uterine contractions, indicating fetal intolerance to stress.

Vibroacoustic Stimulation

The application of an acoustic vibration device against the maternal abdomen used to awaken a sleeping fetus during a nonreactive nonstress test.

Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS) Timing

A prenatal genetic diagnostic procedure performed between $10$ and $13$ (or $14$) weeks of gestation, and never earlier than $10$ weeks.

Amniocentesis Timing

An invasive diagnostic prenatal procedure involving the aspiration of amniotic fluid, commonly performed between $15$ and $20$ weeks of gestation.

Geriatric Pregnancy

A clinical pregnancy designation applied to an expectant mother who is $35$ years of age or older, placing her at higher risk for chromosomal abnormalities.

Hemorrhoid Treatments in Pregnancy

Therapeutic measures including topical creams, suppositories, witch hazel pads (Tucks), ice packs, increased fluids, and a high-fiber diet to avoid straining.

High-Fiber Diet

A dietary intervention that softens the stool to prevent constipation and reduce straining, minimizing hemorrhoid development during and after pregnancy.

Transvaginal Ultrasound Infection Control

Protective clinical techniques including the application of a sterile sheath/cover over the non-sterile probe, using sterile lubricant, and draping the patient for privacy.

Latex Allergy Screening

A mandatory patient assessment question performed before applying sheath covers or inserting equipment during transvaginal ultrasound examinations.

Maternal Stages of Expectancy

The psychological adaptation phases of pregnancy consisting of expressing attachment to the baby, ensuring safe birth, willingness to give of oneself, and ensuring social acceptance.

Supine Vena Cava Compression

A hemodynamic complication that occurs when a pregnant woman lies flat on her back, causing the gravid uterus to compress the inferior vena cava and resulting in dizziness, lightheadedness, and hypotension.

Left Lateral Position

The optimal maternal positioning that displaces the heavy gravid uterus off the inferior vena cava to optimize cardiac output, blood pressure, and fetal perfusion.

Normal Maternal Hemoglobin

A typical physiologic hemoglobin concentration in pregnancy of $12$ to $15\,g/dL$, with clinical concern for significant anemia arising when levels drop below $9$ to $10\,g/dL$.

Maternal Physiologic Tachycardia

A normal compensatory rise in maternal baseline heart rate (e.g., from $70$ to $90\,\text{bpm}$) resulting from increased intravascular blood volume during gestation.

Folic Acid

A critical B-vitamin supplement recommended preconception and during the first trimester to prevent embryonic neural tube defects.

Neural Tube Defects

Severe congenital structural malformations of the brain and spinal cord that develop in the early embryonic weeks when folic acid intake is deficient.

Hysterosalpingogram (HSG)

A radiographic fluoroscopic examination using dye to assess the shape and size of the uterus and verify the patency or blockage of the fallopian tubes.

Uterine Fibroids

Benign muscular neoplasms or abnormal growths located within the uterine cavity that are evaluated as potential mechanical causes of female infertility.

Couvade Syndrome

A psychological phenomenon in which an expectant partner experiences sympathetic pregnancy-related physical symptoms, including nausea, bloating, weight gain, fatigue, and backaches.

Shoulder Dystocia

An intrapartum obstetric complication where the fetal shoulder becomes impacted behind the maternal pubic bone, frequently associated with macrosomic infants born to gestational diabetic mothers.