Mucuoskeletal

Question 1

Describe the pelvic changes in pregnancy due to relaxin

Answer 1

Levels of relaxing increase, they target the pelvic ligaments enabling the pelvis to expand
Accommodating the gravid uterus and the descending fetus during labour

Question 2

Describe the changes to the pelvis due to progesterone and oestrogen

Answer 2

Progesterone levels increase and oestrogen which soften the ligaments increasing the mobility of pelvic joints

Question 3

Describe pelvic girdle pain

Answer 3

Looseness and softening by relaxin, oestrogen and progesterone cause instability in the pelvic joints
Mechanical strain + excessive instability = pelvic girdle pain

Question 4

Describe spinal changes in pregnancy and how it relates to back pain

Answer 4

Gravid uterus + weight gain + change in centre of gravity = back pain as spine shifts to a slightly more posterior position accompanied by the inward curve of the lumbar spine.

Question 5

Describe the muscular changes in pregnancy

Answer 5

Abdominal muscles stretched due to gravid uterus so lessefficient At maintaining core stability wel balance recovery

Question 6

Describe how balance changes in pregnancy

Answer 6

The combination of instability of joints, change in centre of gravity + reduced core strength = postural instability = increased risk of-
falls

Question 7

What are the CNS change in pregnancy

Answer 7

Reduction in volume of grey matter in cerebral cortex and poorer cognitive functioning in 3rd trimester

Question 8

Describe carpal tunnel syndrome

Answer 8

Compression of the median nerve in the carpal tunnel. symptoms: tingling, numbness, pain in hand

Question 9

What causes carpal tunnel syndrome

Answer 9

Oedema as blood is more watery and so has less plasma proteins