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The Amazing Placenta and Fetal Membranes: A Nursing Student's Comprehensive Guide

The Amazing Placenta and Fetal Membranes : A Nursing Student's Comprehensive Guide Pregnancy is a marvel of biology, and at the heart of it lies a temporary yet vital organ: the placenta. Alongside the protective fetal membranes, the placenta acts as the lifeline for the developing baby. As a nursing student, understanding these structures in detail is crucial for providing informed and effective care. Let's dive deep into the fascinating world of the placenta and fetal membranes! (Keywords: placenta, fetal membranes, pregnancy, nursing student, umbilical cord, amniotic fluid, chorion, amnion, yolk sac, allantois, fetal development, maternal-fetal exchange, placental function, pregnancy complications) Laying the Foundation: Formation of the Placenta and Fetal Membranes The journey begins with fertilization . The resulting zygote undergoes rapid cell division, forming a blastocyst . This blastocyst, with its outer layer (trophoblast) and inner cell mass (embryoblast), imp...

Breast Self Examination (BSE)

Breast self-examination (BSE) is a technique that women can use to check their breasts for any changes or abnormalities. It involves feeling the breasts with the fingertips to detect any lumps, thickening, or other changes in the breast tissue.

Here are the steps for performing a breast self-examination:

1. Stand in front of a mirror with your hands on your hips and visually inspect your breasts for any changes in size, shape, or contour. Look for any dimpling, puckering, or changes in the skin texture.

2. Raise your arms above your head and look for the same changes in your breasts.

3. Lie down on your back with a pillow under your right shoulder and place your right arm behind your head. Use the pads of your fingers to feel for lumps or thickening in your right breast. Move your fingers in a circular motion around the breast, covering the entire area from the collarbone to the top of the abdomen and from the armpit to the cleavage.

4. Repeat the same process on your left breast.

5. Stand up and feel your breasts again while standing, using the same circular motion.

It's important to perform breast self-examinations regularly, ideally once a month. If you notice any changes in your breasts during a self-exam, such as a lump, nipple discharge, or changes in skin texture, it's important to consult a healthcare provider for further evaluation.

Remember that breast self-exams should be used in conjunction with regular clinical breast exams by a healthcare provider and mammograms as recommended by your doctor. 

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