Physiological Changes Duering Pregnancy Flashcards
When does b-hCG production peak?
Just before 3 months into pregnancy.
Why is peripheral oedema a normal feature in pregnancy?
Increased plasma volume
Describe what happens to blood pressure during pregnancy.
Decreased in T1 and T2
Increases again in T3
Give 2 anatomical changes that occur with regards to the thorax in pregnancy.
Displaced upwards
Increased transverse and AP diameters
Why is there cervical gland hypertrophy in pregnancy?
What enables this thick mucus plug to form?
Allow for thick mucus plug to form
Cervical gland hypertrophy
Why is there a decrease in pH during pregnancy in the vagina?
Lactobacilli proliferation leads to more lactic acid production.
What are oestrogen and progesterone individual effects on breast development during pregnancy?
Oestrogen increases adipose tissue in the breast and stimulates development of the lactiferous duct system.
Progesterone leads to enlargement of the breast lobules
Why do you get urinary frequency in pregnancy?
Increased renal blood flow and increased GFR lead to more filtrate formation and thus more urine production
Why do you get constipation during pregnancy?
Progesterone acts as a smooth muscle relaxant to reduced peristalsis and therefore reduce bowel motility.
Why should warfarin not be given in pregnancy?
Crosses the placenta and is teratogenic
What affect does hCG have on the thyroid gland?
Stimulates thyroid hormone production
Why do you get an increase in lipolysis from T2 of pregnancy?
Increase plasma fatty acids and thus provide a substrate for maternal metabolism leaving glucose for the foetus
What happens to FRC in pregnancy?
Decreases in the T3.
