Ch 37 Obstetrics and Neonatal Care Flashcards

This set of vocabulary flashcards covers anatomical structures, physiological changes, antepartum emergencies, stages of labor, and neonatal care protocols for EMS providers.

Ovaries

The female gonads or sex organs that produce hormones and release eggs (ova).

Fallopian tubes

The structures where fertilization of the ovum may occur and which transport the ovum to the uterus.

Uterus

A muscular organ consisting of three sections: the fundus, the body, and the cervix.

Endometrium, Myometrium, Perimetrium

The three distinct layers of the uterus.

Placenta

A highly vascular temporary organ of pregnancy attached to the inner uterine wall that provides fetal nourishment and waste removal.

Umbilical cord

The structure that attaches the fetus to the placenta, containing one vein and two arteries.

Umbilical vein

The vessel within the umbilical cord that carries oxygen and nutrients to the fetus.

Umbilical arteries

The vessels within the umbilical cord that carry deoxygenated blood from the fetus to the placenta.

Amniotic sac

The membrane that encloses the fetus and contains $500$ to $1,000\,mL$ of amniotic fluid.

Menstruation

The phase of the menstrual cycle where the endometrium is shed; the first day marks the beginning of the average 28-day cycle.

Pre-embryonic phase

The first 14 days following the fertilization of an ovum.

Embryonic stage

The prenatal period extending from day 15 to 8 weeks.

Fetal stage

The prenatal period extending from 8 weeks until birth.

Neonate

The clinical term for a baby at the moment of birth.

Mucus plug

A protective seal that forms in the opening of the cervix during pregnancy.

Tidal volume

The amount of air inhaled and exhaled in a single breath, which increases by $40\%$ during pregnancy.

Hyperemesis Gravidarum

A condition characterized by extreme morning sickness and severe vomiting that causes dehydration and electrolyte disturbances.

Spontaneous abortion (miscarriage)

The delivery of the fetus and placenta before the fetus is viable, which is defined as before 20 weeks of gestation.

Ectopic pregnancy

A pregnancy in which a fertilized ovum is implanted outside the uterus, most commonly in a fallopian tube.

Placenta previa

A condition caused by abnormal implantation of the placenta near or over the cervix, leading to painless vaginal bleeding during cervical dilation.

Abruptio placentae

The abnormal separation of the placenta from the uterine wall prior to delivery, leading to fetal hypoxia and maternal hypovolemic shock.

Ruptured uterus

A surgical emergency where the uterine wall tears, potentially releasing the fetus into the abdominal cavity and causing severe maternal hemorrhage.

Pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH)

A condition where maternal blood pressure is greater than $140/90\,mmHg$ on two or more occasions measured 6 hours apart.

Preeclampsia

A condition occurring in the last trimester characterized by hypertension and excessive swelling of the face, fingers, and feet.

Eclampsia

A severe form of preeclampsia that includes life-threatening seizures or coma.

Supine hypotensive syndrome

A complication in the third trimester where the weight of the fetus compresses the inferior vena cava when the patient is in a supine position.

Gravida

A term referring to the total number of times a woman has been pregnant.

Para

A term referring to the number of pregnancies that have resulted in live births.

Dilation

The first stage of labor involving uterine contractions that gradually open the cervix.

Expulsion

The second stage of labor during which the infant moves through the vagina and is born.

Placental delivery

The third stage of labor, typically occurring within 5 to 20 minutes after the birth of the infant.

Braxton-Hicks contractions

Irregular contractions that are not part of true labor.

Crowning

The point during labor when the infant's head first becomes visible at the vaginal opening.

Nuchal cord

A condition where the umbilical cord is wrapped around the infant's neck.

Fundal height

A landmark measurement used to estimate gestational age; at the umbilicus, it indicates 20 weeks, and at the xiphoid process, it indicates 38 weeks.

Prolapsed cord

An emergency where the umbilical cord is the presenting part and may be compressed, cutting off the infant's oxygen supply.

Breech birth

A delivery presentation where the buttocks or lower extremities are the first to emerge.

Shoulder dystocia

A situation where the fetal head delivers but then retracts back into the vagina because the shoulders are larger than the head.

McRoberts position

A technique used for shoulder dystocia where the patient's knees are placed into a chest-down position to widen the pelvic opening.

Gaskin maneuver

A positional maneuver used to facilitate the delivery of shoulders when other methods fail.

Precipitous delivery

A birth that occurs within 3 hours of the onset of labor.

Meconium

Fetal bowel movements passed into the amniotic fluid, indicating fetal distress, which can cause pneumonia if aspirated.

Preterm birth

An infant born before the 37th week of gestation or weighing less than $5\,pounds$.

Post term pregnancy

A pregnancy that continues beyond 42 weeks of gestation.

Premature rupture of membranes (PROM)

Spontaneous rupture of the amniotic sac before the onset of true labor and before the end of the 37th week of gestation.

Postpartum hemorrhage

The loss of more than $500\,mL$ of blood following delivery, often caused by the uterus failing to regain tone.

Amniotic fluid embolism

A rare emergency where amniotic fluid enters the mother's bloodstream, causing symptoms similar to a pulmonary embolism such as shortness of breath and hypotension.

Apgar score

A numerical assessment performed at 1 and 5 minutes after birth based on Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity, and Respirations.

Sniffing position

The recommended position for a newborn, placed on their back with the neck slightly extended to maintain an open airway.

Positive pressure ventilation (PPV)

A respiratory intervention provided to newborns at a rate of 40-60 breaths per minute if they are not breathing adequately.