Pregnancy

Prenatal Timeline Setup

  • Create a timeline on the back of your colored paper.

  • Include key gestational weeks: 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, starting every 4 weeks until week 36 when visits increase to weekly.

  • Personalize your timeline with color codes and additional information about fetal development, maternal changes, diagnostics, etc.

Fetal Development Milestones

  • At 14 Weeks:

    • Placenta becomes a significant organ.

  • At 20 Weeks:

    • Fetal kidneys develop along with significant organ growth.

    • Quickening (maternal perception of fetal movement) occurs for first-time mothers (primiparas).

  • At 24 Weeks:

    • Marked as viability (ability of the fetus to survive outside the womb).

    • Skin covered with vernix caseosa (thick, white substance).

  • At 36-40 Weeks:

    • Mother passes antibodies to the fetus, increasing immune protection against infections.

Key Facts about Fetal Growth

  • Fetal size tracked via apps, commonly compared to fruits/vegetables.

  • Important Dates:

    • 20 weeks: Onset of fetal movement (quickening) for first pregnancies.

    • 24 weeks: Critical for viability and external life capabilities.

Maternal Changes During Pregnancy

  • Quickening:

    • Flutter movements felt by mothers indicating fetal activity, typically around 20 weeks for first pregnancies.

  • Antibody Transfer:

    • Positive impact post-36 weeks; crucial for infection protection in early life.

Hormonal Influences in Pregnancy

  • HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin):

    • Maintains the corpus luteum in early pregnancy.

  • HPL (Human Placental Lactogen):

    • Regulates maternal metabolism preparing for lactation post-delivery.

  • Progesterone:

    • Known as the pregnancy hormone, essential for maintaining pregnancy.

  • Relaxin:

    • Relaxes ligaments in preparation for labor.

Physiological Changes in Pregnancy

  • Cardiac Output:

    • Increases by 50% to support pregnancy demands.

  • GI System:

    • Slows down; increased risk of constipation.

  • Skin Changes:

    • Melasma and linea nigra are common skin alterations during pregnancy.

Psychological Adjustments

  • Varies by trimester; fathers can also experience emotional responses.

Signs of Pregnancy (Presumptive, Probable, Positive)

  • Presumptive Signs:

    • Subjective symptoms reported by the mother (e.g., missed period, fatigue).

  • Probable Signs:

    • Objective findings that can be observed by an examiner (e.g., Goodell's sign).

  • Positive Signs:

    • Confirmatory evidence (e.g., fetal heartbeat detected via ultrasound).

Ngb & Abortion (G5P4 System)

  • Gravida (G): Total number of pregnancies.

  • Para (P): Pregnancy outcomes after 20 weeks:

    • T: Term (37 weeks+),

    • P: Preterm (20-36 weeks),

    • A: Abortions (missed or elective).

    • L: Living children.

Routine Visits & Screenings

  • Each visit includes assessment of weight, blood pressure, urinalysis (looking for signs of infection and other conditions).

  • 28 Weeks:

    • Routine screening for Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM).

    • RhD testing and CBC.

Group Beta Strep Screening

  • Performed at 36 weeks, involves swabbing the vagina and rectum; critical for preventing neonatal infections.

Expected Timeline Gestation and Delivery

  • Pregnancy lasts approximately 40 weeks from the last menstrual period (10 lunar months).

  • Anticipate delivery based on established health and screening protocols.