Maternal Physiology in Pg

Question 1

What are cardiovascular changes that occur in Pg?

Answer 1

heart size increases 12%, CO and stroke vol increase, 50% increase in blood volume, HR increases, arterial BP decreases and returns to normal toward end of Pg, venous pressure increases, vascular resistance decreases, blood flow to uterus/kidneys/breasts/skin increases. Systolic ejection murmurs are common, heart axis shifts left, continuous murmurs and bruits can be heard from internal thoracic a. RBC/WBC/platelet/clotting factors all increase.

Question 2

Changes in pulmonary system?

Answer 2

Increased pulmonary blood volume, diaphragm elevates, tidal vol increases, lung reserves decrease.

Question 3

Renal system?

Answer 3

Kidneys increase in size, GFR increases, ureters dilate, urinary flow/Na excretion increases late in Pg.

Question 4

GI changes

Answer 4

increased salivation and gum hypertrophy, increased HCl production/relaxes LES = heartburn, decreased intestinal transit/gallbladder emptying, plasma albumin decreases, Alk phos increases

Question 5

Skin changes

Answer 5

hyperpigmentation, striae, varicose veins, hemorrhoids, spider angiomas, brittle nails, thickening of hair (thinning postpartum)