Interactive Ready for Review: Interactivities

When occurs and a mature egg is released, it travels down the fallopian tubes toward the . If sperm are present, fertilization may occur.

The should implant into the lining of the uterus.

The connects mother and fetus through the placenta. The placenta acts as a barrier and a filter.

As the fetus grows, the different structures that are recognizable begin to form.

The heart beats starting at the fourth week of development.

All fetal organs have formed by the eighth week of development.

By the 20th week, the pregnant woman can feel the fetus move.

By the 24th week, the fetus begins to have respiratory effort.

By the 28th week, the fetus can breathe.

Full term is considered weeks after conception.

During pregnancy, the woman's body undergoes many changes to support and protect the developing fetus. ceases, the total blood volume increases, the heart rate elevates, blood pressure changes, the respiratory minute volume increases, and gastrointestinal complaints such as morning sickness and heartburn can occur.

Emergencies can occur prior to delivery. The most common cause of vaginal bleeding during the first and second trimesters is (miscarriage).

Abortion does not imply any cause and simply means that the fetus is released from the uterus before 20 weeks of gestation.

In the field, keep the pregnant woman calm during a predelivery emergency; the hospital will determine the best course of action.

occurs when the embryo implants in the fallopian tube, ovary, in the abdominal cavity, or the cervix. This is the most life-threatening emergency for the pregnant woman during the first trimester.

One out of every 10 to 20 women experience hypertension during pregnancy. The most common disorder is preeclampsia, an increase in blood pressure after the 20th week of gestation.

can lead to cerebral hemorrhage or seizures.

Be aware of the possibility of diabetes complicating a pregnancy.

In the later stages of pregnancy, problems may occur with the placenta.

Placenta previa is a condition where the placenta develops over and covers the cervix--partially or completely.

is the premature separation of the placenta from the wall of the uterus. This is very dangerous for both the woman and the fetus.

can occur after the mother experiences trauma. %%11%% causes significant bleeding that may be internal, external, or both.

There are three stages of labor. The first stage of labor begins with the onset of contractions and ends when the cervix is fully effaced and dilated. Because prehospital care providers cannot assess for cervical effacement and dilation, the end of the first stage of labor in the field occurs when the fetal head crowns from the vaginal opening.

The second stage of labor is from the point of full dilation and effacement (crowning [in the field]) until the infant is delivered.

The third stage of labor is from the delivery of the infant until the delivery of the placenta.

You will assist with the delivery of the baby at the scene when delivery can be expected within a few minutes, when a natural disaster makes it impossible to reach the hospital, or when no transportation is available.

Remember that your job is to help, guide, and support the infant as it is born. Always contact medical control for guidance if you have concerns.

Abnormal or complicated deliveries include breech deliveries (buttocks first), limb presentations (arm, leg, or foot first), and (umbilical cord first). Quickly transport the patient with a limb presentation or prolapsed umbilical cord to the hospital.

The only times you should place a finger or hand into the vagina are to keep the walls of the vagina from compressing the infant's airway during a face-down breech presentation or to push the infant's head away from the umbilical cord if it is prolapsed.