Question 1

The baby grows inside the ___________, which is a hollow muscle that grows as pregnancy progresses. The baby is protected by the ____________, and is connected to the __________ by the ___________.

Accepted Answer

The uterus is the organ in which a baby grows. The placenta is created by the baby, and implants into the uterine wall. Growing out from the placenta is the amniotic sac, which serves to protect the baby during pregnancy. The baby is connected to the placenta via the umbilical cord. The amniotic sac is filled with amniotic fluid, which provides cushioning and temperature stability for the fetus. The cervix is the opening of the uterus leading to the birth canal or vagina. Fundus is the term given to the top of the growing uterus.

Question 2

The top of the uterus is usually referred to as the _________. The doctor will measure the distance from this point to the _________ to gauge the progress of the growing fetus.

Accepted Answer

The top of the growing uterus is called the fundus, and the healthcare provider will measure from the fundus to the pubic bone as pregnancy progresses. This measurement in centimeters is used as a gauge of the fetal growth compared to norms for the week of pregnancy in which the measurement is taken. Os is another word for opening, and the cervix is actually the os of the uterus. The cervix is filled with a mucous plug during pregnancy to prevent anything from entering the interior. The placenta is attached to the interior of the uterus, and provides all the nutrients and oxygen to the baby via the umbilical cord.

Question 3

Normal changes during the first trimester of pregnancy may include all of the following EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

While the fetus does move from the beginning of pregnancy on, it is too small for the mother to feel any movements in the first trimester. The first flutters are usually felt by the mother between 18 and 22 weeks, and cannot be felt by others until later in pregnancy. Common symptoms in the first trimester of pregnancy include nausea, breast tenderness and growth, increased urination, fatigue, and dizziness.

Question 4

Treatments for morning sickness, typically at its worst in the first trimester, include all of the following EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

Calories are necessary for fetal growth, and mothers should not limit caloric intake during pregnancy. Ways to deal with nausea include eating small, frequent meals and not letting the stomach get empty. Keeping snacks next to the bed and eating them before starting to move may also help alleviate some nausea. Drinking between meals, rather than with them, stems some nausea. Steer clear of carbonated beverages. Some moms find relief by eating candied ginger or drinking ginger tea. Acupressure wristbands alleviate nausea for some women. Morning sickness can happen at any time during the day. If nausea and vomiting are so bad that the mother cannot keep any food or drink in her system, she should seek treatment.

Question 5

How is a woman's due date calculated?

Accepted Answer

Pregnancy typically lasts about 266 days from conception, or about 280 days from a woman's last menstrual period. If she knows the date she conceived, she can more accurately calculate her due date. If she is not sure when her last period was, or if she had some early spotting that she thought was a light period, the due date could be miscalculated. In these cases, a healthcare provider may order an ultrasound to confirm the due date. The number of days works out to be 40 weeks or about nine months. A baby can safely be born between 37 and 42 weeks gestation, so a pregnant mom might better think of it as a due month than a due date!

Question 6

All of the following are changes a woman may experience in the second trimester of pregnancy EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

Pregnant women tend to feel their best in the second trimester, with less fatigue and more energy than earlier in the process. She may begin to feel BraxtonHicks contractions - mild, non-progressing contractions as the uterus tones. Fetal movement can typically be felt between 18 and 22 weeks. Weight gain will likely begin to be noticeable in the second trimester. Other second trimester symptoms may include breast growth, varicose veins, complexion changes, and stretch marks.

Question 7

Braxton Hicks contractions can best be defined as:

Accepted Answer

Braxton Hicks contractions are warm-ups for the real thing! The uterus contracts and releases throughout the pregnancy and these practice contractions can sometimes be felt by the pregnant woman. They do not get progressively closer together or longer over time as true labor contractions do; in fact, they usually go away when a woman changes position. They are a completely normal part of pregnancy. While they are usually mild, some women describe them as painful but easy to manage.

Question 8

Which of the following is NOT a change that a pregnant woman can expect in the third trimester?

Accepted Answer

Fatigue increases as pregnancy progresses and the weight of the growing baby puts more stress on the pregnant woman's body. Other third trimester symptoms may include stretch marks, increasing weight, leaking colostrum, dizziness, rash, constipation, sciatic pain, pelvic fullness, swelling in the hands and feet, and an increased need to urinate. Late in pregnancy, the baby may "drop" lower into the pelvis - a sign that things are moving in the right direction, but a painful change for some moms.

Question 9

A client asks you if it is safe to have sex during pregnancy. Your BEST response is:

Accepted Answer

As long as the mother does not have a high-risk pregnancy, intercourse is acceptable. In fact, because of the changes in hormones and blood volume, the woman may find sex much more enjoyable than normal. For some women, fatigue and weight gain can cause disinterest in sex, but they should still be encouraged to keep an open mind. Intimacy between partners can help keep lines of communication open, and can aid in relationship development for a healthy family. Some people worry the baby will know what's going on, or that somehow, sex will hurt the baby - these are both myths.

Question 10

Which of the following is TRUE about pregnancy hormones?

Accepted Answer

The hormones that support pregnancy - estrogen and progesterone - are produced by the corpus luteum under the influence of the hormone hCG until the placenta takes begins to produce them after the 10th week of pregnancy. Progesterone, not testosterone, keeps the mother's body from having an immune response to her fetus as a foreign object. Estrogen production is highest right before birth, and drops immediately afterwards. Relaxin is a hormone that softens ligaments - great for allowing the pelvis to stretch during birth, but not so great when it makes a pregnant mother more prone to injury and digestive upsets.

Question 11

Car travel during pregnancy is safe, but women should follow all of these precautions EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

An air bag continues to be an essential safety feature in the event of a collision, even when a passenger or driver is pregnant. Other precautions are the same as when not pregnant, and pregnant women should continue to wear a safety belt while riding in motor vehicles. A pregnant woman will be most comfortable if the shoulder strap crosses her chest between her breasts, and the lap belt is underneath her growing belly across her hips. She should never place the shoulder belt behind her back or underneath her arm. She should move her seat as far back as she can from the dashboard or steering wheel to minimize impact while still maintaining safety if the air bags were to deploy in an accident. On long car rides, she should stop and stretch every couple of hours to keep her circulation strong, and to prevent leg cramps. She can also stretch her ankles and calves while seated in between stops.

Question 12

The benefits of relaxation exercises during pregnancy include all of the following EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

Relaxation can conserve energy and improve feelings of fatigue rather than adding to them. Getting a little rest and relaxation, whether during pregnancy or not, is essential to mental well-being. Additional benefits of relaxation include lowered muscle tension, improved posture, enhanced mood, and better breathing, which improves oxygenation for both mom and baby.

Question 13

Pregnant women need, on average, how many extra calories per day?

Accepted Answer

A pregnant women should consume approximately 300 additional calories per day to maintain a healthy pregnancy. Consuming too many calories can cause unnecessary weight gain. Calorie limits can restrict fetal growth, and can lead to increased fatigue for the pregnant mom. Extra calories should come from healthful food choices rather than "junk food," and can easily be met with a snack or two throughout the day.

Question 14

Average weight gain for pregnancy is _____________ for a woman who starts pregnancy at an ideal weight for her height.

Accepted Answer

If you started pregnancy at a healthy weight for your height, you should gain approximately 25 to 35 pounds by the end of pregnancy for optimal fetal growth. If you started this journey underweight, you will need to gain more, approximately 28 to 40 pounds. If you were overweight at the beginning of pregnancy, you can safely gain less weight - from 15 to 25 pounds. At each prenatal appointment, your healthcare provider will weigh you and counsel you on typical weight gain. Mothers carrying twins will gain more than those carrying only one baby.

Question 15

Non-pharmacological ways to treat heartburn during pregnancy include all of the following EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

Drinking between meals rather than with food can help to limit heartburn symptoms. Other solutions that don't rely on medication include avoiding spicy or fatty foods, eating small meals frequently, avoiding carbonated beverages, remaining propped up rather than lying flat, and not lying down right after eating. If none of these tips works, a pregnant mother can ask her healthcare provider about antacid use.

Question 16

Which of the following is a non-pharmacological way of treating constipation in pregnancy?

Accepted Answer

Drinking plenty of water helps to keep the system regular, and can aid in eliminating constipation. Because the digestive track has slowed down during pregnancy, many moms are prone to constipation. Eating fiber-rich foods, including fruit juices, and getting regular exercise are additional preventative measures a pregnant woman can take. Food temperature has no relationship to constipation. If none of these remedies works, a mother should ask her healthcare provider to recommend a stool softener that is safe during pregnancy.

Question 17

While cravings and aversions are common in pregnancy, the desire to eat non-food substances can be dangerous and should be discussed with a healthcare provider. What is this type of craving called?

Accepted Answer

Pica is the desire to eat non-food substances such as starch, dirt, clay or chalk. Pica sometimes involves smell, too, like an affinity for noxious odors such as gasoline or paint. These behaviors can be dangerous and should be discussed with a healthcare provider. Hyperemesis gravidarum is extreme nausea and vomiting associated with pregnancy. Gestational diabetes is a sugar imbalance brought on by pregnancy. Preeclampsia is related to high blood pressure induced by pregnancy.

Question 18

All of the following are food borne illnesses that can be dangerous to pregnant mothers EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

Vaginosis is a nonspecific bacterial infection of the vaginal tract, and while it could be a complication of pregnancy and should be treated, it does not stem from food sources. Listeriosis is caused by a bacterium that can grow on foods such as processed meats, unpasteurized diary products, raw eggs, sprouts, and cabbage. It can cause damage to a fetus' central nervous system as well as to the placenta. Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic infection that can cause damage to a fetus. It is most often found in raw or undercooked meats, and can be contracted from handling cat feces. Campylobacteriosis is a bacterial infection that causes flu-like symptoms and has the potential to cause miscarriage or preterm labor. Sources of exposure include unpasteurized milk, raw or undercooked meats, and untreated water.

Question 19

A pregnant mother should avoid all of the following foods EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

Fish is a great source of several key nutrients, including essential fatty acids, and should be included in a healthy diet for a pregnant mom. Certain types of fish should be avoided, and the amount of fish needs to be limited, though. Due to the potential for contamination, the following foods should be avoided during pregnancy: raw sprouts, soft cheeses, processed meats, unpasteurized dairy or juice products, and raw or undercooked meats, poultry, eggs, fish, or shellfish.

Question 20

Which of the following is most likely to cause the "aches and pains" many women experience in pregnancy?

Accepted Answer

The weight of the growing baby and uterus tends to pull a woman's center of gravity forward, which can affect her posture and, thus, her comfort. Pain in the back and pelvis is increased as a result of this shift. Moderate exercise is important for feeling good during pregnancy. An increase in blood volume can contribute to varicose veins and hemorrhoids. An increase in the production of the hormone relaxin softens ligaments. While this is beneficial at the time of birth, it can lead to discomfort and an increased risk of injuries, such as sprains and muscle pulls, during pregnancy.

Quiz 5: Pregnancy

The baby grows inside the _, which is a hollow muscle that grows as pregnancy progresses. The baby is protected by the , and is connected to the by the ___.

The top of the uterus is usually referred to as the _. The doctor will measure the distance from this point to the _ to gauge the progress of the growing fetus.