Changes in Physiology During Labour

Question 1

Why do mothers experience higher levels of ill health during pregnancy

Answer 1

Pregnancy results in a change for a multitude or organ systems. This can lead to symptoms of ill health which usually resolve after prgnancy

Question 2

What is morning sickness

Answer 2

a condition tat affects around 80-85% of women, BHCG is increased causing nausea and sometimes vomiting.

Question 3

When is morning sickness worse?

What may it lead to?

When does it resolve?

Answer 3

• Morning sickness is usually worse when BCHG is increased (e.g. twins)
• It may lead to hypermesis gravidarum a condition where food cannot be kept down.
• It usually resolves by week 16

Question 4

What happens to blood pressure during the second trimester?

Answer 4

it drops due to expansion of the uteroplacental circulation. This is caused by a reduction in sensitivity to angiotensin

Question 5

What happens to cardiac output during pergnancy?

What can this cause pregnant women to complain of?

Answer 5

It increases due to a higher stroke volume and HR.

Palpitations can be a common complaint

Question 6

How are the kidneys affected when you are pergenant?

Answer 6

GFR increases by 50%.

Serum Urea and Creatinine decreases. This is part due to increased GFR but also due to the dilutional effect of increased plasma volume

Question 7

What common condition can occur due to increased urine output during prrengnancy?

Answer 7

Urine stasis due to reduced bladder capacity

Question 8

What can urine stasis lead to when you are pregantě

Answer 8

Increase in UTI’s

Hydronephrosis

Pyelonephritis

Note– have a low threshold for starting antibiotic treatment

Question 9

What GI problems may occur when you are gregnant?

Answer 9

Reduced GI motility,

GORD,

Constipation

Question 10

What causes anaemia when you are pregnat?

What happens to the other components of the blood (not RBC) during pregnancy

Answer 10

Increased plasma volume,
drop in haemoglobin,
increased iron requirements,

increased WBC,
fall in platelet count due to dilution.

Question 11

What happens to respiratory mucous membranes when you are pegnate?

How does pregnancy affect oxygen consumption?

Answer 11

They increase in blood vessles and become hyperaemic (increased blood flow)

Oxygen consumption increases by 20% due to progesterone acting to reduce CO2