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Reproductive System > Physiological Changes in Pregnancy > Flashcards

Physiological Changes in Pregnancy Flashcards

1
Q

Does the anterior pituitary gland produce more ACTH during pregnancy?

A

Yes

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2
Q

What does more ACTH cause a rise in?

A

Steroid hormones (cortisol and aldosterone)

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3
Q

Name a sometimes positive aspect of more steroid hormones in pregnancy.

A

Improvement in most autoimmune conditions

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4
Q

Name a negative aspect of more steroid hormones in pregnancy.

A

Susceptibility to diabetes and infections.

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5
Q

Does the anterior pituitary gland produce more prolactin during pregnancy?

A

Yes

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6
Q

What does an increase in prolactin suppress?

A

FSH and LH

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7
Q

Does the anterior pituitary gland produce more melanocyte stimulating hormone during pregnancy?

A

Yes

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8
Q

What is the effect of increased melanocyte stimulating hormone during pregnancy?

A

Increased pigmentation of the skin during pregnancy

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9
Q

Name two skin changes which can occur due to increased melanocyte stimulating hormone in pregnancy.

A
  1. Linea nigra

2. Melasma

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10
Q

Does TSH level increase in pregnancy?

A

No

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11
Q

Does T3 and T4 levels increase in pregnancy?

A

Yes

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12
Q

Describe the degree of hCG increase in pregnancy.

A

Roughly double every 48 hours until they plateau around 8 – 12 weeks, then gradually start to fall.

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13
Q

What suppresses the mother’s immune reaction to foetal antigens?

A

Progesterone

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14
Q

How much does the uterus increase in size during pregnancy?

A

From 100g to 1.1kg

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15
Q

What causes cervical ectropion and cervical discharge during pregnancy?

A

Oestrogen

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16
Q

What causes hypertrophy of the vaginal muscles and increased vaginal discharge during pregnancy?

A

Oestrogen

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17
Q

Whilst the changes in the vagina prepare it for delivery, what is a problem that can occur?

A

Bacterial and candidal infection more common

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18
Q

What breaks down collagen in the cervix before delivery to allow it to dilate and efface during childbirth?

A

Prostaglandins

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19
Q

During pregnancy, does the blood volume increase or decrease?

A

Increase

20
Q

During pregnancy, does the plasma volume increase or decrease?

A

Increase

21
Q

During pregnancy, does the cardiac output (stroke volume and heart rate) increase or decrease?

A

Increase

22
Q

During pregnancy, does the peripheral vascular resistance increase or decrease?

A

Decrease

23
Q

During pregnancy, does the blood pressure increase or decrease?

A

Decreased in early and middle pregnancy, returning to normal by term

24
Q

What can occur during pregnancy during to peripheral vasodilation and obstruction of IVC by uterus?

A

Varicose veins

25
Q

What symptoms does peripheral vasodilation cause?

A

Flushing and hot sweats

26
Q

What is the effect of pregnancy on tidal volume and respiratory rate?

A

Increase in later pregnancy to meet increased oxygen demands

27
Q

During pregnancy, does the blood flow to the kidneys increase or decrease?

A

Increase

28
Q

During pregnancy, does the GFR increase or decrease?

A

Increase

29
Q

During pregnancy, does the aldosterone level increase or decrease?

A

Increase leading to increased salt and water reabsorption and retention

30
Q

During pregnancy, does the rate of protein excretion increase or decrease?

A

Increase - (normal is up to 0.3g in 24 hours)

31
Q

During pregnancy, how do the kidneys change structurally?

A

Dilation of ureters and collecting system leading to physiological hydronephrosis (more right-sided)

32
Q

During pregnancy, which increases more: plasma volume or red blood cell volume? What does this result in?

A

Plasma volume increases more than RBC volume - leading to lower concentration of RBCs and haemoglobin leading to anaemia.

33
Q

Since there is increased RBC production in pregnancy, what deficiencies are pregnant women at risk of?

A
  1. Iron
  2. Folate
  3. B12
34
Q

Do clotting factors increase or decrease during pregnancy?

A

Increase - making women hyper-coagulable

35
Q

During pregnancy, does the white blood cell count tend to increase or decrease?

A

Increase

36
Q

During pregnancy, does the platelet count tend to increase or decrease?

A

Decrease

37
Q

During pregnancy, does the ESR tend to increase or decrease?

A

Increase

38
Q

During pregnancy, does the D-dimer tend to increase or decrease?

A

Increase

39
Q

During pregnancy, does the ALP tend to increase or decrease?

A

Increase - up to 4 times normal, due to secretion by the placenta

40
Q

During pregnancy, does the albumin tend to increase or decrease? Why?

A

Decrease - due to loss of proteins in kidneys

41
Q

During pregnancy, does the calcium tend to increase or decrease?

A

Calcium requirements increase, but so does gut absorption of calcium, meaning calcium levels remain stable.

42
Q

What are stretch marks on the expanding pregnant abdomen called?

A

Striae gravidarum

43
Q

Whilst pruritus can be normal in pregnancy, what can it also indicate?

A

Obstetric cholestasis

44
Q

What two skin changes are causes by increased circulating oestrogen?

A
  1. Spider naevi

2. Palmar erythema

45
Q

Is postpartum hair loss normal?

A

Yes - usually improves within six months

Reproductive System (7 decks)

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