Presumptive Signs: least obj. or subj. signs;can also be caused by many other conditions
Presumptive signs include:
• Amenorrhea:
o Highly suggestive
... [Show More] of preg. in a healthy fem w/ regular & predictable period. Difficult to determine in a fem w/ irregular periods or in those who do not keep track of their menstrual cycles
• Nausea & vomiting:
o Common symptom (~50% of pregnancies) typically occurring between 2- 16 wks. gest
• Breast engorgement & darkening of areolas:
o Occurs as early as 6-8 wks. gest
• Breast tenderness
• Fatigue
• Urinary Frequency
• Slight increase in body temperature:
o Rise in temp. coincides w/ luteal phase & is the result of progesterone
• “Quickening”:
o Mother feels baby’s movements for 1st time; starts @ 16 wks.
Probable Signs: a high likelihood of preg. but there are still other conditions that may cause the findings. Preg. tests are considered probable because β-hCG also presents in molar pregnancies & ovarian cancer
Probable signs include:
• Goodell’s sign:
o Cervical softening (around 4 wks.)
• Chadwick’s sign:
o Blueish coloration of the vagina & cervix (6-8 wks.)
• Enlarged uterus
• (+) urine or blood preg. test (β-hCG)
[+] Signs of Preg.: The most reliable & most obj. signs of (+) preg. are those where the provider can confirm the presence of a fetus
(+) signs include:
o Palpation of the fetus by HCP
o US & visualization of the fetus
o Fetal Heart Tones auscultated by the HCP
Preg. & fundal height measurement
Schuiling, pg. 774 & Wk. 1
Lecture
12 wks. gestation:
• the fundus is located @ the level of the symphysis pubis.
16 wks. gestation:
• fundus rises to midway between symphysis pubis & the umbilicus
20 wks. gestation:
• the fundus is typically @ the same height as the umbilicus
>20 wks. gestation: the fundus enlarges approx. 1cm/wk. As the time for birth approaches, the fundal height drops slightly.
• This process, which is commonly called lightening, occurs for a woman who is a primigravida around 38 weeks’ gestation but may not occur for the woman who is a multigravida until she goes into labor
25-35 wks. gestation: Measure the distance between the upper edge of pubic symphysis & the top of the uterine fundus w/ a tape measure. Fundal height in centimeters equals the number of gestational weeks (+/- 2cm). For example, a 28- wk. gestation fetus should have a fundal height that measures between 26 & 30cm.
Naegele’s rule
The due date or expected date of confinement (EDC) can be calculated using Naegele’s Rule
• Begin on the 1st day of the last menstrual period (LMP), subtract 3 mos., add 7 days, & then add 1 yr.
Example
LMP: February 14, 2015
Subtract 3 mos. (Great Scott x 3): November 14, 2014
Add 7 days (N-A-E-G-E-L-E): November 21, 2014
Add 1 bear (year): November 21, 2015
Hematological
Nonpregnant Fem., Ages 19–65
changes during preg.
Schuiling, pg. 778
TABLE 29-3 Lab
Value Changes in Preg.
o Hgb: 12–16 g/dL
o Hct: 37–47%
o RBC: 3.5–5.5/mm3
o WBC: 4.5–11/mm3
1st Trimester
o Hgb: 11.6–13.9 g/dL
o Hct: 31–41%
o RBC: 3.4–5.2/mm3
o WBC: 4–13/mm3
2nd Trimester
o Hgb: 9.7–14.8 g/dL
o Hct: 30–39%
o RBC: 2.8–4.5/mm3
o WBC: 6–14/mm3
3rd Trimester
o Hgb: 9.5–15 g/dL
o Hct: 28–40%
o RBC: 2.7–4.4/mm3
o WBC: 6–17/mm3
Indications & contraindications for prescribing combined estrogen vs. progesterone- only birth control
Combined Hormonal Contraceptives (COCs)
• Most COCs contain 10-35 mcg of ethinyl estradiol & 1 of several different progestins.
• Drospirenone has a mild K+-sparing diuretic effect; K+ levels checked
during the 1st cycle in fem. using ACE inhibitors, chronic daily NSAIDs, angiotensin-II receptor antagonists, K+-sparing diuretics, heparin, or aldosterone antagonists.
• Fem. w/ conditions that predispose them to hyperkalemia should not use
drospirenone.
COC Disadvantages:
• Increase the risk of VTE.
• May BP in some through an in plasma angiotensin.
• HTN is a cofactor in the dev of CV disease
• development of benign hepatocellular adenomas, this SE is very rare w/ low-dose pills.
• a slightly risk of develop breast cancer; in the incidence of cervical cancer
• Mood changes, depression, anxiety, irritability
• Decreased libido & anorgasmia is unusual, but possible
• No protection against STDs or HIV
• N/V especially in the first few cycles
• Breast tenderness or pain; HA may increase
Estrogen Specific SEs include:
• nausea
• cervical ectopy & leukorrhea
• telangiectasis [Show Less]