NCM107MCF: CARE OF MOTHER, CHILD, AND ADOLESCENT (WELL CLIENT)

LECTURE 3: Physiology of Obstetrics

Obstetrics

− a branch of medicine that deals with childbirth and the o Fetus

care and treatment of the mother before and after o placenta and fetal sac
birth. o fetal membranes
− The subject matter of obstetrics therefore is o bag of waters.
parturition (labor), its antecedents (pregnancy) and
Puerperium
its sequel puerperium (post partum), in both normal
and abnormal circumstances. − the postpartum period of 4 to 6 weeks when the
genital organs of the mother return to their pregravid
Pregnancy
(before pregnancy) state.
− is that period before childbirth from the moment of − The word obstetrics is derived from the Latin term “
conception/fertilization to the start of labor. obstetrix”Obstetrix is related to the verb“obstare”
− Normal duration: 280 days/40 weeks/10 lunar months which means to stand by or in front of.
with an allowance of two weeks before and after.
Physiological Obstetrics
Fertilization
− deals with normal pregnancy, normal labor and normal
− is the union of the sperm and the ovum. puerperium.

Labor Gynecology

− Childbirth is the expulsion of the products of − deals with diseases of the nonpregnant woman.
conception (conceptus) from the uterus when it has
Obstetrician
reached the stage of viability.
− Stage of Viability: − a doctor of medicine specializing in obstetrics.
o 20 weeks/500 grams/25 cm
Midwife
o Note: The coming out of the fetus before 20
weeks is called abortion. − a person (not a M.D.) who attends to deliveries.
− Products of conception:
 NCM107MCF: CARE OF MOTHER, CHILD, AND ADOLESCENT (WELL CLIENT)

LECTURE 3: Physiology of Obstetrics

− an infant born anytime after completion of the 42nd

week.
− Note: a “hilot” is an unlicensed midwife (by experience
• Abortus:
only).
− a fetus or embryo removed or expelled from the uterus
Obstetrics/OBGYN Nurse during the first half of gestation (20 weeks or less)
weighing less than 500 grams, or measuring less than
− Cares for women during pregnancy, labor, childbirth
25 cm.
and other reproductive health issues
➢ Direct Maternal Death
Assisting Childbirth In Ancient Times − includes death of the mother resulting from
obstetrical complications of pregnancy, labor, or
The overall objective of obstetrics is that every pregnancy
the puerperium, and from interventions, omissions,
culminates in:
incorrect treatment, or a chain of events
− “ a healthy mother and a healthy baby”. resulting from any of these factors.
− to reduce to a very minimum the number of women and
➢ Indirect Maternal Death
infants who die as a result of the reproductive process
− includes maternal death not directly due to obstetrical
− to minimize the discomforts of pregnancy, labor, and
causes, but resulting from previously existing disease,
puerperium
or a disease that developed during pregnancy, labor, or
• Preterm Infant
the puerperium, but which was aggravated by maternal
− an infant born before 37 completed weeks
physiological adaptation to pregnancy.
• Post-Term Infant

Process of Human Reproduction

1. Sexual Intercourse 3. Pregnancy
2. Conception 4. Childbirth