Definition of PRENATAL CARE
PRENATAL CARE: “A comprehensive antepartum program involves a coordinated approach to medical care, continuous risk assessment,and psychosocial support that optimally begins beore pregnancy and extends throughout the postpartum and interpregnancy period.“
DIAGNOSIS OF PREGNANCY
a. Signs and Symptoms
b. Pregnancy Tests
Which cells produce hCG?
Main function of hCG
When is hCG detectable?
Doubling time, time of peak, time of plateau
c. Sonography
Amenorrhea (not a reliable pregnancy indicator until 10 or more days have passed after expected menses)
Fetal movements
First perceived by:
i. multigravida: 16 to 18 weeks
ii. primigravida: 18 to 20 weeks
iii. examiner: 20 weeks
Changes in the lower reproductive tract, uterus, and breasts
Basis
Detection of hCG in maternal blood and urine
Which cell produces hCG?
Syncytiotrophoblast
The main function of hCG
prevent involution of the corpus luteum, which is the principal site of progesterone formation during the first 6 weeks of pregnancy
When is it detected in maternal serum/urine?
8 to 9 days after ovulation
Doubling time of serum hCG
1.4 to 2.0 days
hCG peaks
at 60 to 70 days
hCG plateaus
at approx 16 weeks’ gestation
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG)
This hormone is a glycoprotein with high carbohydrate content
General structure: heterodimer composed of two dissimilar subunits, designated α and β, which are noncovalently linked.
The α-subunit is identical to those of LH, FSH, and TSH, but the β-subunit is structurally distinct.
The specificity of β-subunit of hCG allows its detection
The laboratory detection limit of hCG in serum is 1.0 mIU/mL or even lower.
Last changed2 years ago
