OB Exam 2 Study Guide

COMPLICATIONS DURING PREGNANCY: •Pre-Eclampsia: condition in which HTN develops (140/90 mmHg) during the last half of pregnancy in a woman who previously had normal blood pressure; renal involvement may also cause proteinuria ( 0.3 g in 24-hour urine collection) and generalized edema oONLY CURE IS BIRTH OF FETUS oMaternal and fetal morbidity can be minimized if detected early and managed carefully ▪Major cause of perinatal death and often associated with intrauterine fetal growth restriction oCaused by generalized vasospasm  possible that preeclampic women develop sensitivity to effects of vasoconstrictors like angiotensin II; peripheral vascular resistance increases and decreased vasodilators ▪This ultimately causes vasoconstriction, reducing the flow of blood to kidneys, liver, brain, and placenta oRisk Factors ▪First pregnancy ▪First pregnancy for father/man who has fathered one preeclamptic pregnancy ▪Age 35 years ▪Anemia ▪Family/personal history of pregnancy-induced HTN ▪Chronic HTN ▪Preexisting valvular/renal disease ▪Obesity ▪Diabetes mellitus ▪Antiphospholipid syndrome ▪Multifetal pregnancy