Question | Answer |
presumptive signs of pregnancy | changes experienced by the woman that make her think that she might be pregnant. Can be subjective symptoms or objective signs |
probable signs of pregnancy | changes observed by an examiner that makes them suspect woman is pregnant. changes are primarily related to physical changes of the uterus. |
positive signs of pregnancy | signs that can only be explained by pregnancy |
mcdonald's method | measure uterine fundal height in cm from symphysis pubis to the top of the uterine fundus (betwen 18-30 weeks gestation). Gestational age is estimated to be equal to fundal height. |
renal changes during pregnancy | filtration rate increases second to pregnancy hormones and inc in blood volume and metabolic demands. urinary frequency is common. |
endocrine changes during pregnancy | placenta becomes endocrine organ produces hCG, progesteron/estrogen, hPL and prostaglandins. |
peak levels of hCG after implantation occur... | 60-70 days of gestation |
hCG levels decrease after reaching their peak levels until... | 140 days of pregnancy, then gradually inc until term |
higher levels of hCG can indicate what problems | multifetal pregnancy, ectopic pregnancy, hydatidiform mole (gestational trophoblastic disease) or a genetic abnormality such as down syndrome. |
medication effect on pregnancy tests | anticonvulsants, diuretics, tranquilizers can cause inaccurate results. |
blood pressure change in second trimester | 5 to 10 m Hg lower for both diastolic and systolic |
at 20 weeks gestation blood pressure ... | is back to prepregnancy baseline range |
dark line of pigmentation from umbilicus extending to pubic area | linea nigra |