We are 100% user supported.
 

Home > Flashcards > Women's & Gender Studies > Labor and Delivery

Details

Title: Labor and Delivery

Description: 5.1.07

Total Flash Cards: 88

Created: 05/01/2007 13:03:42

To study from this set of flash cards, or to create your own your own study flash cards, register HERE.

If you are already a registered user, CLICK HERE.
Cards

Term
what is labor?
Definition
Regular uterine contractions that cause thinning and dilatation of the cervix Result in delivery of the fetus.
Term
What is important for labor?
Definition
What is important for labor? Adequate pelvis Cervical change Cooperative fetus uterus
Term
when should labor begin?
Definition
around 40 weeks (280 days), term--anywhere between 37 weeks and 41 weeks and 6 days
Term
what are the 3 bones of the pelvis?
Definition
illium, ishium, and pubis
Term
what divides the true pelvis from the false pelvis?
Definition
the linea terminalis
Term
what are the 3 planes of the TRUE pelvis?
Definition
Pelvic inlet AP diameter = conjugate Transverse diameter; Midplane AP diameter Transverse diameter = bispinous distance = an important landmark for ensuring that the fetus's head gets through. Pelvic outlet AP diameter Transverse diameter = bituberous distance
Term
what are the 3 things that make up the cervix?
Definition
1. Smooth muscle 2. Collagen 3. Glycosaminoglycans
Term
how is collagen composed?
Definition
Collagen Unit = tropocollagen = triple helix of collagen chains Synthesized in connective tissue cells Crosslinks exist between the chains
Term
what are the 2 types of GAGs?
Definition
Glycosaminoglycans = Dermatan (hydrophobic) Chondroitin
Term
What is necessary for cervical dialiation?
Definition
the collagen must be broken down, tissue btw the collagen must absorb water.
Term
what is cervical effacement?
Definition
Collagen chains are broken down by the process of: Hydrophobic GAGs are replaced by more hydrophilic hyaluronic acid to absorb water to become soft. Cervical smooth muscle contraction causes the cervical tissue to be pulled upward and be incorporated into the lower segment of the corpus. The cervix is dialating and being usurped into the uterus.
Term
what is an incompetant cervix?
Definition
predialation--maybe the collage isn't firm enough. Put a stitch into the internal os.
Term
what does a pregnant cervix look like in comparison to a non pregnant cervix?
Definition
non preg--organized collagen, pregnant - disorganized collagen. again, during preg, GAGs change, absorb the water, allowing cervix to dialate and for fetus to come out.
Term
describe the smooth muscle cells of the myometrium of the uterus.
Definition
The smooth muscle cells are arranged in spiral bundles which continue to the upper portion of the cervix. The majority of the myometrium is smooth muscle (contrast to cervix). Though they are in close proximity to each other, there is no direct contact between individual muscle cells until the end of pregnancy when gap junctions appear. Muscle cells spiral and are arranged in bundles. Thick + thin filaments Gap junctions
Term
what is the point of gap junctions?
Definition
once 1 smooth muscle contracts, they all contract (like dominos). So, muscles do not contract via neural inneration-they contract via horomones.
Term
what contractile proteins are necessary for contractions?
Definition
Contractile proteins Actin (thin filament) Myosin (thick filament) (both of which come together and are regulated by phosphorylation), Tropomyosin, Skeletin
Term
what regulatory proteins are necessary?
Definition
Calmodulin Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) Enzymes -- (de)phosphorylation
Term
what does cAMP do?
Definition
phosphorylates MLCK
Term
what does calmodulin do?
Definition
when it binds to Ca, it allows MLCK to be dephosphorylated, and activated.
Term
what is in the myosin head?
Definition
Head Globular 2 pair of light chains ATP hydrolysis Actin binding
Term
what is in the myosin tail?
Definition
Tail Helical 2 heavy chains
Term
what is actin comprised of?
Definition
Composed of helically arranged polymers with Tropomyosin interspersed inbetween
Term
what happens to make actomyosin?
Definition
actin and myosin form actomyosin by using myosin ATPase and Mg. myosin globular head attaches to actin; cross bridge between thick and thin filaments; filaments slide past each other. This is how the smooth muscles of the uterus contract.
Term
why is phosphorylating key for the actin myosin interaction?
Definition
In order for actin and myosin to interact, the light chain of actin must be phosphorylated.
Term
what enxyme is responsible for phosphorylation?
Definition
Myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) = the enzyme responsible for phosphorylation. Activated by DEPHOSPHORYLATION and Ca-calmodulin complex
Term
what phosyphorylates MLCK
Definition
The enzyme responsible for phosphorylating MLCK is a cAMP-dependent protein kinase which is dependent on Adenylate cyclase
Term
Should myosin and actin be phosphorylated or not in order to be activated?
Definition
phosphorylated
Term
go over the steps of actomyosin binding.
Definition
look at your notes
Term
what does Ca bind to?
Definition
calmodulin
Term
why would you want to prevent uterine contractions from happening?
Definition
to stop preterm labor--so prevent Ca from entering the cell.
Term
what factors cause labor?
Definition
we don't know. we do know that cortisol is important, progesterone decreases, and estrogen increases.
Term
what do we know from sheep.
Definition
That the fetus can initiate labor: the fetal cortisol activates 17-alpha hydroxylase, which converts progesterone to estrogen, which induces contractions
Term
why do we not understand how humans work?
Definition
human placentas DO NOT have 17-alpha hydroxylase. So the placenta can't convert progesterone to androgens, the precursor of estrogen
Term
what do humans have instead?
Definition
a shuttle system bwn the fetus and the placenta that results in transfer of DHEA from the fetus to the placenta. DHEA is transferred from the fetal adrenal to the fetal liverr where it is converted to 16 OH DHEAS. 16 OH DHEAS is then taken to the placenta where it is metabolized into estrogen.
Term
in order for labor to start, what must decrease?
Definition
progesterone
Term
does estrogen directly cause myometrial contractoins?
Definition
no, not directly. Instead, estrogens upregulate myometrial gap junctions
Term
what horomone does the uterus have a lot of ?
Definition
Prostaglandins.
Term
what are the precursors of PG?
Definition
arachadonic acid-
Term
what does oxytocin do?
Definition
potent uterine stimulant
Term
what is 1 example of how estrogen indirectly causes contration?
Definition
OT gene is upregulated by estrogen
Term
what is decidua
Definition
maternal tissues that get shed with the pregnancy
Term
where is Ox found?
Definition
in the fetal plasma as well as maternal plasma and tissues (decidua)
Term
where are OT receptors found?
Definition
in the myometrium
Term
how do you make PGs?
Definition
phospholipids-->aa--.PG
Term
what does Ox and PG do?
Definition
they act as receptor agonists for creating contraction
Term
what are 2 important enzymes?
Definition
Pl-A2, and COX2
Term
what must you have progesterone for?
Definition
estrogen synthesis
Term
where does progest come from?
Definition
cholesterol
Term
what does E do?
Definition
upregulates gap juncitons and OT receptors
Term
who releases CRH?
Definition
CRH is released by the hypothalamus, placenta, amnion, chorion, and decidua.
Term
Cortisol has what type of effect on CRH in an adult brain? In placenta?
Definition
There are two feedback loops for CRH secretion: Cortisol (adrenal)  CRH (decidua/plac/mbs) Prostaglandins (decidua/mbs)  CRH (decidua/troph/mbs) ** Cortisol has a positive feedback effect on fetal HPA (vs. negative feedback normally seen in adult!!)
Term
who upregulates CRH?
Definition
cortisol (adrenal), and prostaglandins (decidua)
Term
what enzyme is missing in the placenta?
Definition
17-alpha hydroxylase
Term
what does OT do?
Definition
stimulate PG receptors, also stimulates prostaglanding creation. these both go to make smooth muscle contractions.
Term
what enzyme does PGE2 stimulate in the cervix?
Definition
PGE2 stimulates collagenase--which is required for collagen breakdown--for cervical dialation.
Term
what 2 things does cortisol stimulate?
Definition
PL-A2 (for PGs) and Cox2
Term
what do you need for labor?
Definition
In order to have labor, the uterus has to contract and the cervix has to dilate!
Term
What causes uterine contractions/cervical ripening?
Definition
Uterine ctx Prostaglandins (E2, F2) Anything that increases intracellular Ca (e.g., activation of phosphotidyl inositol in membranes) Gap junctions Increase oxytocin receptors
Term
Cervical ripening/effacement
Definition
Collagenase, elastase (i.e., metalloproteases)
Term
How do you induce labor?
Definition
PG--activates collagenase. progesterone might reduce chance of PRETERM labor.
Term
what are the cardinal movements?
Definition
how the fetus navigates through the pelvis during labor. . Starts in false pelvis, head, is floating.engagement, flexion, descent, turn head, extension (now in perineum)
Term
what is engagement?
Definition
when you can feel the baby at the level of the ischial spine, the kid is engaged. Descent of the biparietal diameter below the pelvic inlet. Clinically assessed when doing a cervical check – palpate for the presenting part below the ischial spines (“0” station).
Term
Above the ischial spine
Definition
negative stations
Term
what is flexion?
Definition
passive response of the fetal head to soft tissues of the pelvis
Term
descent
Definition
downward passage of the presenting part
Term
what is the lie?
Definition
Lie – relation of long axis of fetus to longitudinal axis of mother.
Term
what are 3 common presentations?
Definition
Presentation – part of the fetus in the birth canal Cephalic Breech Shoulder
Term
what are 2 common positions?
Definition
Position – relation of a reference point on the presenting part to the maternal right or left Vertex ~ occiput Face ~ chin (mentum) Breech ~ sacrum
Term
what is stage 1 labor?
Definition
closed--->fully dialated (latent phase--long time, little dialation), (active phase-->quick dialation),
Term
stage 2
Definition
fully dilated --> delivery
Term
stage 3
Definition
placenta
Term
what are stations?
Definition
relationship of presenting part to ischial spines (-5-->+5)
Term
what are 2 things you find on a vaginal exam?
Definition
the sagittal suture, and the fontanelles (soft area, where sutures come together)
Term
what are the 3 potential problems in labor?
Definition
Dystocia is defined as abnormal labor that results from what have been categorized classically as abnormalities of the power (uterine contractions or maternal expulsive forces), the passenger (position, size, or presentation of the fetus), or the passage (pelvis or soft tissues). The term "cephalopelvic disproportion" has been used to describe a disparity between the size of the maternal pelvis and the fetal head that precludes vaginal delivery. Because dystocia can rarely be diagnosed with certainty, the relatively imprecise term "failure to progress" has been used, which includes lack of progressive cervical dilation or lack of descent of the fetal head or both. The diagnosis of dystocia should not be made before an adequate trial of labor has been achieved. A more practical classification is to categorize labor abnormalities as slower-than-normal (protraction disorders) or complete cessation of progress (arrest disorders).
Term
what is involved in labor management?
Definition
Progress Cervix – dilation, effacement Fetus – station Fetal well being – fetal heart tracing Pain control Intravenous narcotics Regional (epidural, pudendal block) Delivery Want to avoid lacerations Episiotomy
Term
when can myosin bind?
Definition
when it's phosyphorylated
Term
what does actin look like it its relaxed state?
Definition
actin fibers are bound by a complex made up of troponin-tropomysoin.
Term
what is involved in the actin myosin binding?
Definition
Ca, Calmodulin (the calcium bidning protein), cAMP, myosin light chain kinase
Term
what does Ca do?
Definition
1. ca binds to the troponin -tropomyosin complex--resulting in this complex being unbound from the actin. as a result, cross bridges form and contractions occur.. also, ca binds to calmodulin. this complex can bind to the enzyme MLCK.
Term
what does MLCK do?
Definition
when activated, MLCK phosphorylates myosin light chans so that actin can attach and contractions can occur.
Term
how is MLCK inactivated?
Definition
when MLCK is phosphorylated by a cAMP dependent protein kinase
Term
how can you physiologically describe labor?
Definition
the myometrium being released from inhibitory effects of pregnancy
Term
what is necessary for the initiation of labor in humans?
Definition
progesterone withdrawl
Term
what does the fetal adrenal gland have lots of
Definition
cortisol
Term
what are myometrial contractractions mediated through?
Definition
ATP-dependent binding of myosin to actin
Term
what is the key modulator of myometrial contractility?
Definition
ca
Term
PGs have what type of action?
Definition
paracrine/autocrine
Term
what type of PGs will there be an increase of?
Definition
PE and PF



Home  ·  Login  ·  myFlashCards  ·  FlashCardDB  ·  Help  ·  Links  ·  Flash Cards by Subject


© 2001-2007 Flash Card Machine, LLC. Privacy Policy / Terms of Use
Design/Development by Madhu