Maternal changes in pregnancy Flashcards
What causes maternal changes in pregnancy?
very high levels of maternal steroid hormones circulating (predominantly produced by the placenta)
physical effects of carrying around a pregnancy for 9 months (extra 6-7 kilos of baby and placenta, increase in blood volume to maintain the fluid etc)
metabolic needs of the fetus and the placenta
What is the puerperium?
6 weeks after delivery
after this period, things become normal again
What can pregnancy do to other conditions?
exacerbate a pre-existing condition
uncover hidden or mild condition
What are the changes that the body need to cope with during pregnancy?
increase uterus size
increased metabolic requirements of the uterus and the fetus
the body needs to be able to remove fetal waste products such as CO2 and other waste products
good fluid balance, enough to make amniotic fluid, provide perfusion to the fetal kidneys etc
deal with the demands of the delivery and after as well
How does the body cope with changes in pregnancy?
metabolic rate change
change in CVS, GI, urinary and endocrine
What are maternal steroids?
at first changes in steroids by mother- cause corpus luteum change
after week 7 placenta takes over
What are placental peptides?
hCG
hPL
growth hormone
released by week 12
What are placental and fetal steroids?
progesterone, oestradiol, and oestriol are involved here
What do the placental and fetal steroids affect?
RAAS- bp resp centre- tidal volume GI tract- smooth muscle relax- constipation blood vessels-relaxation uterine muscle contractility
What are maternal and fetal pituitary hormones?
GH
thyroid
prolactin
CRF
What is the total weight gain in pregnant mums?
12.5kg to 13kg
In the UK, why is weight of the mother only checked at booking initially when she comes in?
because all that is needed is a normal healthy diet, and people with a normal initial weight usually do have a normal healthy diet
the mother does not need to eat food for two people, as the baby is not a full grown human being
What is the cause of weight gain in pregnancy and how much do each things weigh?
fetus + placenta = 5kg excess fat and protein = 4.5kgs increase in body water = 1.5kgs breasts increase in weight = 1kg uterus size and weight increase = 0.5-1kg
Why does energy output need to increase during pregnancy?
cope with your own cardiovascular and respiratory needs (they are in over drive)
increase energy storage for fetus and when mother in labour and puerpium
Why is there an increase in fat and protein stores during pregnancy?
4.5kg gain
more consumption
less usage of proteins and fat
Where is the fat and protein laid down?
anterior abdominal wall
When is fat and protein used?
labour
puerpium
(as metabolic demands increase)
By how much does the basal metabolic rate increase?
Rises by 350kcal/day mid gestation, and by 250kcal/day during late gestation
Where does the increase in metabolic rate go to?
fetus and uterus mainly
and cardiovasular system and resp system
How much energy does the placenta use?
about 1/3rd of the energy by metabolism
How does glucose pass the placenta?
facilitated diffusion (through channels)- NO ATP used
What is the difference between levels of glucose in the mother and fetus?
stay the same
What happens in terms of stores in the first trimester?
INCREASE IN MATERNAL STORES
What happens in the first trimester to the maternal stores?
pancreatic B cells increase in number
there is increase in plasma insulin
so more glucose taken into tissues and laid down as stores and used by muscles
due to this, fasting serum glucose decreases
What happens in terms of stores in the second trimester?
increase in fetal stores