Prenatal Assessment - refers to a series of tests and evaluations that are conducted during pregnancy to assess the health and development of the fetus as well as the health and well-being of the mother. 

Antepartum - refers to the period from conception to the onset of labor. 

Intrapartum - extends from the onset of contractions that cause cervical dilatation to the first 1–4 hours after the birth of the neonate and the placenta. 

Postpartum - refers to the six weeks after the delivery of the neonate and the placenta. Also known as the puerperium, this stage ends when the reproductive organs return to their nonpregnant state. 

PREGNANCY DURATION:

• • 40 weeks of gestational age is the number of completed weeks counting from the first day of the last normal menstrual cycle (LMP).

  • 38 weeks fetal age refers to the age of the developing baby, counting from the estimated date of conception, it is usually 2 weeks less than the gestational age. 

TRIMESTERS:

• • First Trimester - 0-13 weeks

  • Second Trimester - 14-26 weeks

  • Third Trimester - 27-40 weeks

PRENATAL TERMS:

1. Para/Parity - Number of pregnancies that have reached viability (20 weeks of gestation), regardless of whether the infants were born alive or not. 

Nullipara: Zero pregnancies beyond viability (20 weeks)

Primipara: One pregnancy that has reached viability (20 weeks)

Multipara: Two or more pregnancies that have reached viability (20 weeks)

2. Gravida - A woman who is or has been pregnant.

Nulligravida: Never been pregnant.

Primigravida: Pregnant for the first time

Multigravida: A woman who had two or more pregnancies

Preterm: pregnancies that have reached 20 weeks but ended before 37 weeks.

Term: pregnancies that have lasted between week 37 and week 42

Post Date/Post Term: Pregnancy that goes beyond 42 weeks. 

SIGNS OF PREGNANCY

Categories:

1. 1. Presumptive signs

   2. Probable signs

   3. Positive signs

1.) Presumptive Signs

• Means speculation or unconfirmed.

• Are signs of pregnancy that the woman reports to you and only she can experience them. Therefore, they are subjective and could be caused by something other than pregnancy.

• These signs are based on her report of them so they’re subjective.

HOWEVER, THE WOMAN COULD PRESUME SHE MAY BE PREGNANT.

1. Period absent (amenorrhea)

2. Really tired (fatigue)

3. Enlarged breast.

4. Sore breast

5. Urination increased

6. Movement of fetus in uterus...woman perceives fluttering sensation in her lower abdomen...this is referred to as “quickening” (Quickening can occur at 16 weeks for 2nd time moms and around 20 weeks for 1st time moms)

7. Emesis and nausea

2.) Probable Signs

• Means likely to be the reason.

• Are signs of pregnancy the nurse or doctor can observe and document. If these signs are present it does not absolutely mean the woman is pregnant. These signs can also present with other conditions.

1. 1. 1. Positive pregnancy test 

      2. Returning of the fetus (ex: bouncing back of the fetus) against the fingers when the uterus is pushed during palpation. This is termed as “external ballottement”.

      3. Outline of fetus can be palpated

      4. Braxton Hicks Contractions: false labor contractions that are not regular and won’t result in cervical dilation

      5. A softening of the cervix “Goodell’s Sign” happens around the 6-8th week of gestation

      6. Bluish color to the vulva, cervix, and vagina due to increased blood flow, happens around 4 weeks gestation “Chadwick’s Sign”

      7. Lower uterine segment (LUS) becomes soft “Hegar’s Sign”, happens around 6-12 week of gestation

      8. Enlarged uterus.

3.) Positive Signs

• Means conclusive, definite, or absolute.

• Are signs the woman is pregnant. These signs are mainly attributed to the fetus and these signs can be clearly measured and documented.

1. Fetal movements felt by doctor or nurse

2. Electronic device detects fetal heart sounds (Doppler)

3. The delivery of the baby

4. Ultrasound detects the fetus.

5. See visible movement of the baby by the doctor or nurse.