Minor symptoms in pregnancy and abdominal pain

Question 1

What clinical features are often seen in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy?

Answer 1

• Amenorrhoea
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Bladder irritability
• Breast engorgement/nipple enlargement

Question 2

Why do pregnant women get urinary frequency?

Answer 2

Due to pressure of the foetal ead on the bladder in later pregnancy. GFR also increases, increasing urine output

Question 3

What GI problems are common in pregnancy?

Answer 3

• Constipation
• GORD

Question 4

Why does GORD occur more commonly in pregnancy?

Answer 4

Progesterone-mediated pyloric sphincter relaxation allows irritant bile to reflux into the stomach, which is worsened by increasing foetal pressure on upper GI tract

Question 5

What musculoskeletal problems can commonly occur in pregnancy?

Answer 5

• Symphysis pubis dysfunction
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Mechanical back pain

Question 6

What is the cause of carpal tunnel syndrome in pregnancy?

Answer 6

Due to fluid retention

Question 7

What are causes of abdominal pain in pregnancy at <24 weeks gestation?

Answer 7

• Miscarriage
• Ectopic pregnancy
• Constipation
• Round ligament pain
• UTI
• Fibroids

Question 8

What are causes of abdominal pain after 24 weeks of pregnancy?

Answer 8

• Labour
• Braxoton-hicks contractions
• Symphysis pubis dysfunction
• GORD
• Uterine rupture
• Pre-eclampsia/HELLP
• Placental abruption

Question 9

What are specifically bowel related causes of abdominal pain in pregnancy?

Answer 9

• Appendicitis
• Intestinal obstruction
• Adhesions
• Volvulus
• Intussuception
• Hernia
• Neoplasma
• Acute cholecytsitis
• Pancreatitis