Physiology Flashcards
1
Q
Key cardiac changes in pregnancy
A
- CO increases due to raised HR and SV
- Palpitations a common complaint
- Diastolic BP decrease in 2nd trimester
2
Q
Key respiratory changes in pregnancy
A
- Raised O2 consumption
- Progesterone causes reduced PCO2
- Allows foetus to offload CO2
- Compensated resp alkalosis
3
Q
Key haematological changes in pregnancy
A
- Anaemia
- Plasma volume raised, as does RBC = dilution of haemoglobin
- Increased iron requirements
- VTE risk
- Hypercoagulability (due to rise in fibrinogen and factors 7, 9 and 10 - prepares mother for placenta delivery)
4
Q
Key urinary changes in pregannacy
A
- Increased urine output
- Bladder size decreased in 3rd treimester because of pressure in pelvis
- Renal plasma flow raised
- Increased GFR by 50%
- Serum urea and creatinine reduced (partly due to dilutional effects of raised PV)
- Increase risk of UTIs
- Increased urinary stasis
- Hydronephrosis is physiological in 3rd trimester = makes pyelonephritis more common
- Associated with pre-term labour
5
Q
Key GI changes in pregancy
A
- Oesophageal peristalsis reduced
- Gastric emptying slows
- GI motility reduced
- Placenta produces Alk Phos so 50% increase in Alk Phos
6
Q
Key endocrine changes in pregnancy
A
- ADH increases
- Prolactin increases
- Insulin resistance
- Iodine deficiency
- Calcium requirments increase because calcium is transported actively across placenta BUT increase in 1,25-dihydrozy vit D so increased gut absorption
7
Q
Key immunology changes
A
- Immunity decrease
- WCC increase
- ESR
- increase
- Spleen enlarges
8
Q
What does oestrogen and progestogen do in pregnancy?
A
Oestrogen prepares for delivery by increaseing oxytocin receptors in uterus
Progestogen works as smooth muscle relaxant and maintains uterus
9
Q
What are braxton hicks contractions?
A
Non painful “practice” contractions that occur late in preangnyc >30 weeks
