NURS 08 RLE

TOPIC 1:

Female
Reproductive
System
 ANATOMY AND
PHYSIOLOGYOF FEMALE
REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
the female reproductive system is designed to
carry out several functions. It produces the female
egg cells necessary for reproduction, called the
ova or oocytes. Conception, the fertilization of
an egg by a sperm, normally occurs in the
✓ Conception
fallopian tubes. - the fertilization of an
egg by a sperm, normally occurs in the
fallopian tubes. The fertilized egg then
moves to the uterus, where it implants into
the lining of the uterine wall.
the female reproductive system
include:

▪ Labia majora: The labia majora enclose

and protect the other external
reproductive organs. Literally translated
as "large lips," the labia majora are
relatively large and fleshy, and are
comparable to the scrotum in males. The
labia majora contain sweat and oil-
secreting glands. After puberty, the labia
lips," the labia minora can be very small or
up to 2 inches wide. They lie just inside the
labia majora, and surround the openings
to the⑧ vagina (the canal that joins the lower
part of the uterus to the outside of the
body) and ⑧ urethra (the tube that carries
urine from the bladder to the outside of the
body).

Bartholin's glands: These glands are

located beside the vaginal opening and
Clitoris: The two labia minora meet at the
clitoris, a small, sensitive protrusion that
is comparable to the penis in males. The
clitoris is covered by a fold of skin, called
the prepuce, which is similar to the
foreskin at the end of the penis. Like the
penis, the clitoris is very sensitive to
stimulation and can become erect.
 Vagina (Vulva): The vagina is a canal that joins the cervix (the lower
part of uterus) to the outside of the body. It also is known as the birth
canal.
Uterus (womb): The uterus is a hollow, pear-shaped organ that is
----

the home to a developing fetus. The uterus is divided into two parts:
the cervix, which is the lower part that opens into the vagina, and the
-

⑧ The corpus can easily

main body of the uterus, called the corpus.
-
-

expand to hold a developing baby. A channel through the cervix

allows sperm to enter and menstrual blood to exit.
Ovaries: The ovaries are small, oval-shaped glands that are located
-

on either side of the uterus. The ovaries produce eggs and

hormones.
Fallopian tubes: These are narrow tubes that are attached to the
upper part of the uterus and serve as tunnels for the ova (egg cells)
to travel from the ovaries to the uterus.
Conception - the fertilization of an egg by a sperm, normally
 The breasts are specialized organs of the female body that
contain mammary glands, milk ducts, and adipose tissue.The two
---

breasts are located on the left and right sides of the thoracic region of
the body.
nipple - found in the center of the breast, highly pigmented that
releases milk when stimulated.
areola, a thickened, highly pigmented band of skin that surrounds the
nipple, protects the underlying tissues during breastfeeding.
The mammary glands are a special type of sudoriferous glands
that have been modified to produce milk to feed infants. Within each
breast, 15 to 20 clusters of mammary glands become active during
pregnancy and remain active until milk is no longer needed. The milk
passes through milk ducts on its way to the nipple, where it exits the
body.
 PHYSIOLOGY

&
REPRODUCTIVE CYCLE
The female reproductive cycle is the process of
producing an ovum and readying the uterus to
receive a fertilized ovum to begin pregnancy. If an
ovum is produced but not fertilized and implanted in
the uterine wall, the reproductive cycle resets itself
through menstruation. The entire reproductive cycle
takes about 28 days on average, but may be as
short as 24 days or as long as 36 days for some
women.
 a
OOGENESIS AND OVULATION stan
Under the influence of follicle stimulating hormone
(FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH), the ovaries
produce a mature ovum in a process known as
ovulation. By about 14 days into the reproductive
cycle, an oocyte reaches maturity and is released
as an ovum. Although the ovaries begin to mature
many oocytes each month, usually only one ovum
per cycle is released.
the egg and direct it down the fallopian tube to the uterus. It takes
about a week for the ovum to travel to the uterus. If sperm are able to
reach and penetrate the ovum, the ovum becomes a fertilized zygote
containing a full complement of DNA.
After a two-week period of rapid cell division known as the germinal
period of development, the zygote forms an embryo. The embryo will
then implant itself into the uterine wall and develop there during
pregnancy.
a MENSTRUATION
While the ovum matures and travels through the fallopian tube, the
endometrium grows and develops in preparation for the embryo. If
the ovum is not fertilized in time or if it fails to implant into the
endometrium, the arteries of the uterus constrict to cut off blood flow
to the endometrium. The lack of blood flow causes cell death in the
endometrium and the eventual shedding of tissue in a process known
as menstruation.
 PREGNANCY
If the ovum is fertilized by a sperm cell, the
fertilized embryo will implant itself into the
endometrium and begin to form an amniotic
cavity, umbilical cord, and placenta. For the
first ⑧
8 weeks,
d
the embryo will develop almost
all of the tissues and organs present in the
adult before entering the fetal period of
development during weeks 9 through 38.
During the fetal period, the fetus grows larger
and more complex until it is ready to be born.
&
LACTATION
- is the production and release of milk to feed an infant. The
production of milk begins prior to birth under the control of
the hormone prolactin.⑧ Prolactin is produced in response to
the suckling of an infant on the nipple, so milk is produced
as long as active breastfeeding occurs.a Oxytocin is also
produced in response to infant suckling so that milk is only
released when an infant is actively feeding.
As soon as an infant is weaned, prolactin and milk
production end soon after. The release of milk by the
nipples is known as the *“milk-letdown reflex” and is
controlled by the hormone oxytocin. I
What Happens During the Menstrual Cycle?

The term menstruation refers to the periodic

shedding of the uterine lining. ⑧
(Menstru means
"monthly.'')The average menstrual cycle takes
about 28 days and occurs in 3 phases: the
follicular phase, the ovulatory phase (ovulation),
and the luteal phase.

There are four major hormones (chemicals that

TOPIC 2:
EARLY SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF
PREGNANCY

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Most people notice the
symptoms of
pregnancy start about
two weeks after
conception, a couple of
days after a missed
period, or when there
is a positive pregnancy
-

test
-
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 CATEGORIES OF PREGNANCY
SYMPTOMS
subjective
⚫ 1. Presumptive signs I
⚫ 2. Probable signs
⚫ 3. Positive signs

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 PRESUMPTIVE SIGNS

⚫ There is a possibility of pregnancy

a
Amenorrhea (no Food cravings and aversions
-

period) Mood changes or "mood

⑧
-

Nausea — with or swings"

without vomiting Heartburn
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Breast enlargement
- -
Nasal congestion
-

and tenderness Shortness of breath

-

Fatigue
↑
Lightheadedness
-

Poor sleep
-
Elevated basal body
-

Back pain
- temperature (BBT)-
Constipation
- Spider veins
Reddening of the palms
-

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-
Occasionally a person with an
immense desire for, or fear of,
-

pregnancy can develop

presumptive, even probable,
signs of pregnancy. This is pendogesis
known as a false pregnancy
*
(pseudocyesis) and truly shows
how the brain can influence
physiology
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sympathetic pregnancy
(also known as couvade-
syndrome) is when a
non-pregnant partner
experiences similar
symptoms to the
pregnant partner
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 PROBABLE SIGNS

⚫ Most likelihood of indicating pregnancy

-

- Increased frequency of urination

- Soft cervix
- Abdominal bloating/enlargement
- Mild uterine cramping/discomfort
without bleeding
- Increased skin pigmentation in the
face, stomach, and/or areola
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 POSITIVE SIGN

⚫ Confirmation of pregnancy

Fetal heartbeat
Visualization of fetus (ultrasound)
Positive hCG urine or blood
↳ Human Chorionic Gonadotropin

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