Midwifery Exam Practice
Questions and Answers
Updated 2026
What is the first stage of the menstrual cycle (that lasts 4-7 days) known as? -
AnswerMenstrual Cycle
What is the second stage of the menstrual cycle (lasting 8-13 days) known as? -
AnswerFollicular Phase
What is the third stage of the menstrual cycle, occurring at day 14, known as? -
AnswerOvulatory Phase
What is the final stage of the menstrual cycle known as? - AnswerLuteal Phase
What occurs during the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle? - AnswerFSH causes follicle
maturation in the ovary. Increased oestrogen causes the endometrium to thicken and
become a nourishing environment for a potential pregnancy.
Define Ovulation - AnswerA period of heightened hormones where a dominant follicle
releases an egg into a Fallopian tube.
Which hormone is responsible for ovulation? - AnswerLH (Luteinizing Hormone)
What happens during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle? - AnswerOestrogen
decreases, progesterone increases due to the corpus luteum.
What happens during the menstrual phase of the menstrual cycle? - AnswerOestrogen and
progesterone decrease and the endometrial lining is shed.
, How long is an egg viable for following ovulation? - Answer1 day
What happens if an egg is not fertilised? - AnswerProgesterone decreases, corpus luteum is
reabsorbed and FSH causes new follicles to start maturing.
Define capacitation - AnswerThe protective covering of the acrosome of the sperm is
removed.
What sort of reaction begins when a sperm comes into contact with an egg? -
AnswerCortical reaction - cortical granules block any other sperm from entering the egg
How many chromosomes does a zygote contain? - Answer46, in 23 homologous pairs
How many cells does the merula have? - Answer8 to 16
How many cells does the blastocyst have? - Answer16 to 32
How many days after ovulation can implantation occur? - Answer6 to 10 days
Define decidualisation - AnswerProgesterone increases, creating a hospitable environment
for the developing fetus.
What are trophoblasts? - AnswerCells on the outer layer of the blastocyst
What are integrins? - AnswerCell adhesion molecules that work in implantation.
What is the chorion? - AnswerFetal part of placenta made out of trophoblast cells
Questions and Answers
Updated 2026
What is the first stage of the menstrual cycle (that lasts 4-7 days) known as? -
AnswerMenstrual Cycle
What is the second stage of the menstrual cycle (lasting 8-13 days) known as? -
AnswerFollicular Phase
What is the third stage of the menstrual cycle, occurring at day 14, known as? -
AnswerOvulatory Phase
What is the final stage of the menstrual cycle known as? - AnswerLuteal Phase
What occurs during the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle? - AnswerFSH causes follicle
maturation in the ovary. Increased oestrogen causes the endometrium to thicken and
become a nourishing environment for a potential pregnancy.
Define Ovulation - AnswerA period of heightened hormones where a dominant follicle
releases an egg into a Fallopian tube.
Which hormone is responsible for ovulation? - AnswerLH (Luteinizing Hormone)
What happens during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle? - AnswerOestrogen
decreases, progesterone increases due to the corpus luteum.
What happens during the menstrual phase of the menstrual cycle? - AnswerOestrogen and
progesterone decrease and the endometrial lining is shed.
, How long is an egg viable for following ovulation? - Answer1 day
What happens if an egg is not fertilised? - AnswerProgesterone decreases, corpus luteum is
reabsorbed and FSH causes new follicles to start maturing.
Define capacitation - AnswerThe protective covering of the acrosome of the sperm is
removed.
What sort of reaction begins when a sperm comes into contact with an egg? -
AnswerCortical reaction - cortical granules block any other sperm from entering the egg
How many chromosomes does a zygote contain? - Answer46, in 23 homologous pairs
How many cells does the merula have? - Answer8 to 16
How many cells does the blastocyst have? - Answer16 to 32
How many days after ovulation can implantation occur? - Answer6 to 10 days
Define decidualisation - AnswerProgesterone increases, creating a hospitable environment
for the developing fetus.
What are trophoblasts? - AnswerCells on the outer layer of the blastocyst
What are integrins? - AnswerCell adhesion molecules that work in implantation.
What is the chorion? - AnswerFetal part of placenta made out of trophoblast cells
