What is decidua? What are the layers of well developed decidua?
Decidua is the endometrium of the pregnant uterus. Its layers are:
a. Superficial compact layer - consists of compact mass of decidual cells, glands and dilated capillaries.
b. Intermediate spongy layer - It is through this layer that the cleavage of placental separation occurs.
c. Basal layer - containing the basal portion of the glands and is apposed to the uterine muscles. This is the part that remains after the placental separation. [IOM 2059]
What is decidua basalis, decidua capsularis and decidua parietalis?
After implantation of blastocyst into compact layer of decidua, the different portion of decidua are named as -
- Decidua basalis or serotina - the portion of decidua in contact with the base of blastocyst. It unites with chorion to form the placenta. [UP 94]
- Decidua capsularis or reflexa - thin superficial compact layer covering the blastocyst.
- Decidua vera or parietalis - rest of decidua lining uterine cavity outside the implantation site.
As overgrowing ovum bulges towards uterine cavity, the space between the decidua capsularis and the decidua vera, called the decidual space is gradually narrowed down and by 4th month, it is completely obliterated by fusion of the decidua capsularis with decidua parietalis.[IOM 2064]
When is β-hCH level highest? [IOM 2059]
At 9-10 weeks, hCG level is maximum. It returns to normal in 20-22 weeks.
When does β-hCH level double in first trimester? [BHU 02]
In every 1.4-2 days.
What is hPL?
Human placental lactogen is also called as human chorionic Somatomammotrophin.
It is actually a fetal growth hormone.
It is similar to growth hormone and prolactin in its sequence.
It causes insulin resistance and decreased glucose uptake in maternal tissue - anti-insluin to mother.
What are the various forms of estrogens?
EstrONE (E1)– when menses are all gONE. i.e predominantly in post-menopausal women, [JIPMER 92] secreted from adipose tissue and the substrate is adrenal steroids.
EstraDIol (E2) – During Intermenstural period, i.e. predominant estrogen in menstruating women from granulose cells of follicles.
EsTRIole (E3) – predominant estrogen in TRImesters of pregnancy from placenta. The substrate is DHEAS from fetal adrenal.
What are the sources of estrogen? [AI 92]
Ovaries
Adrenal cortex
Placenta in pregnancy
What is the significance of stria gravidarum during delivery?
The presence of more stria gravidarum have less stretchable collagen, and chance of laceration during birth is more in such woman.
What is chloasma?
Chloasma gravidarum is increased pigmentation on skin during pregnancy.
What is the change in systolic and diastolic BP during pregnancy?
Both systolic and diastolic BP are decreased because of decrease in TPR.
BP during pregnancy is never higher than the BP before pregnancy normally. [AI 12]
Plasma volume is increased by 50%, HR and SV are increased, but TPR is decreased.
But femoral vein pressure is significantly increased.
In which stage of labor is the cardiac output maximum?
Non pregnant (5 l/min)
Late pregnant (6.3 l/min)
Stage I (6.7 l/m) – increased because of pain.
Stage II (8.9 l/min) - increased because of the exercise as she is pushing out the baby.
Immediately postpartum (9.3 l/min) - Maximum cardiac output is seen in the immediate postpartum period after the delivery of baby and placenta. [AI 07] Venous sinusoids in uterus are filled with blood, when placenta is out and uterus starts to contract, there is autotransfusion of 600-800 cc of uteroplacental blood that rapidly comes to the circulation that increases the CO. This is important because the chance of heart failure is maximum in postpartum state in cardiac cases.
When in pregnancy is the highest chance of cardiac failure?
After delivery of placenta.
Which murmur is normal in pregnancy?
Mid systolic ejection murmur.
What is the value of WBC and ESR in pregnancy?
Both are increased.
What is the level of proteins in pregnancy?
All plasma proteins are raised except albumin.
The rise in Thyroid Binding globulin leads to increased total T3 & T4.
What is the effect of progesterone on smooth muscles?
It causes the relaxation of smooth muscles.
Relaxation of smooth muscles causes decreased motility of GI muscles resulting in increased time of emptying.
This causes reflux esophagitis, cholelithiasis, constipation.
Arteriole dilatation results in spider nevi formation.
What is the change in lung volumes during pregnancy?
All other volume decreases except Tidal volume. Increase in tidal volume increases minute ventilation. Increased minute ventilation causes decrease in pCO2 and increase in pH. This respiratory alkalosis is partially corrected by secretion of HCO3 in the urine leading to alkaline urine.
Why is there increased risk of UTI in pregnancy?
Respiratory alkalosis due to increase in minute ventilation results in alkaline urine and there increased risk of infections in alkaline urine.
There is increase in Ureteral size, this increase in diameter decreases the urine velocity and stasis of urine leading to UTI.
What is the normal Urea and Creatinine value in Pregnancy?
Since the real blood flow is increased in increased cardiac output, there in increased GFR and creatinine clearance. So BUN, Creatinine and Uric acid is decreased.
What is the level of Protein and Glucose in Urine during pregnancy?
Glucose secretion is increased in pregnancy.
Protein secretion is not changed in Urine during pregnancy.
What is the total weight gain during pregnancy?
The total weigh gain during the course of a singleton pregnancy for a healthy woman averages 11 kg.
This has been distributed 1 kg in first trimester and 5 kg each [IOM 01] in second and third trimester.
What is the total amount of water retained during pregnancy? [IOM 2055]
The amount of water retained during pregnancy at term is estimated to be 6.5 litres.
Weight gain in pregnancy depends on all of the following factors except [AI 10,11]
B) Smoking
Smoking does not have a significant effect on gestational weight gain although smoking is associated with decreased birth weight.
What is the change in lipid metabolism in pregnancy? [IOM 2061]
The sign is for the detection of pregnany. [UP 92].
During 6th and 10th week of pregnancy, on bimanual examination, the lower part of of the uterus is easily compressed between the fingers placed in the vagina and those of the other hand over the pelvic area.
This is due to softening of the lower segments of the uterus and fetus doesnot fill the uterine cavity at this stage, leaving an empty space in the lower part.
What are the causes of Hyperemesis gravidarum? [MANIPAL 02]
First pregnancy
Family history
Hydatidiform mole
Multiple pregnancy
What are the drugs used for vomiting in pregnancy?
Promethazine [IOM 04]
Prochlorperazine
Metochlopramide
When do you discharge a patient of Hyperemesis gravidarum? [IOM 10]
When there is Acetone free urine.
Presence of acetone is a sign of starvation and ketones may be harmful to fetal development.
What component of the breast are produced by estrogen and progesterone?
Estrogen - Duct and nipples
Progesterone – Lobules and alveoli
What is the dose of radiation that is risk to the fetus?
>10 rads has the significant risk, and below it, there is minimal risk.
All of the diagnostic modalities we use like Chest X-ray, Abdominal CT, IVP usually do not go above 10 rads, so, even if the woman has been exposed to the radiation, we should never advise for termination of pregnancy only for this issue.
<5 rads is not associated with any significant congenital malformations. [AIIMS 03]
What are the effects on fetus if mother is exposed to X-ray irradiation?
- Miscarriage, fetal growth restriction
- Congenital malformation (e.g. microcephaly),
- Mental retardation
- Increased risk for childhood cancer like leukemia [IOM 07]