Physiological changes during pregnancy

Question 1

By how much does maternal cardiac output typically increase?

Answer 1

30-50%

Question 2

What physiological changes lead to a decreased haemoglobin content of the maternal blood during pregnancy?

Answer 2

plasma volume increases by 50%

red cell mass increases by 30%

results in fall of haemoglobin content of the blood

Question 3

Why are pregnant women at an increased risk of DVT?

Answer 3

pregnancy is a hypercoagulable state - due to increased oestrogen

fibrinogen and factors VII-X are increased

however platelet number is usually decreased

Question 4

Why does arterial blood pressure fall in the second trimester?

Answer 4

placental circulation is expanding and peripheral vascular resistance falling