NUR318 Women’s Health
Chapter 10 Highlight and Overview
Placenta
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The role of the placenta:
o Provides oxygen to the fetus and excretes carbon dioxide.
o Circulation in the mother and fetus: maternal circulation and fetus never
Exchange blood.
Hormones produced by the placenta
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Human chorionic gonadotropin hormone (hCG). This hormone is only produced during
pregnancy —almost exclusively in the placenta.
HCG hormone levels found in maternal blood and urine increase dramatically during the first
trimester and may contribute to nausea and vomiting that are often associated with pregnancy.
hCG usually doubles every 48-72 hours in early pregnancy,
After 6 weeks they double every 96 hours, peak at 8-11 weeks and then level off.
Progesterone. This hormone is produced by the ovaries and by the placenta during pregnancy.
Progesterone stimulates the thickening of the uterine lining in anticipation of implantation of a
fertilized egg.
Helps maintain a pregnancy
Role of Amniotic Fluid
 Helps the fetus move in the womb
 Fluid keeps the baby moving and acts like a cushion
 Allows for proper bone growth because the fetus is able to move inside the womb
 The fluid insulates the baby; keeping it warm and maintaining a regular temperature
 Infection control
Immunologic System
 The only immunoglobulin that crosses the placenta is IgG which provides passive
acquired immunity to specific bacterial toxins.
 Fetus produces IgM and have IgG from their mother as well.
Genetic testing
 Why conduct genetic testing?
o Nurses have been long advocate for their patients
o Nurses have been in the forefront of genetic counseling for their patients
o Genetic counseling may involve the patient or the family
 The nurses’ role in genetic testing
o Nurses have been long advocate for their patients
o Nurses have been in the forefront of genetic counseling for their patients
o Genetic counseling may involve the patient or the family
 Preconception counseling and genetics
o Basic education for patients who come into the clinic for genetic
counseling and testing.
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NUR318 Women’s Health
Chapter 10 Highlight and Overview
o Educate client about fertilization and genetics in which 23 chromosomes
from the mother and 23 chromosomes from the father creates a zygote
with a total of 46 total chromosomes.
Patterns of Inheritance
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Autosomal Recessive Inheritance
Two copies of the abnormal genes are needed for the individual to demonstrate signs
and symptoms of the disorder, 25% chance inheriting 2 mutant genes
Example will be in the condition of Tay-Sachs
Abnormalities of Chromosome Number
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Trisomy (Down Syndrome ) trisomy 21.
Extra genetic material from chromosome 21
Clinical features of individual with Trisomy 21
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