Physiology in Pregnancy

Question 1

Breast changes in pregnancy

Answer 1

Increased size and vascularity - warm, tense and tender
Increased pigmentation of the areola and nipple, 2ry areola appears
Montgomery tubercles appear on the areola
Colostrum-like fluid can be expressed from the end of the third month

Question 2

Intrapartum cardiovascular changes

Answer 2

Autotransfusion of contractions
Pain - increasing catecholamines
CO increases by 10% in labour and by 80% in 1st post delivery hour

Question 3

How long does it take for cardiovasculature to return to normal postpartum?

Answer 3

By 3 months (mostly)

Question 4

Hg
Platelets
Urea
Creatinine
Urate
  in lab tests

Answer 4

Decreased

Urate increases with gestation

Question 5

WCC

ESR

Answer 5

Increased

Question 6

CRP

Answer 6

Unchanged

Question 7

What is ESR measured for?

Answer 7

Erythrocyte sedimentation rate
Results are reported as how many millimetres of clear plasma are present at the top of the column after one hour. Normally, red cells fall slowly, leaving little clear plasma. Increased blood levels of certain proteins (such as fibrinogen or immunoglobulins, which are increased in inflammation) cause the red blood cells to fall more rapidly, increasing the ESR
Indirect measure of inflammation

Question 8

Why is CRP measured?

Answer 8

C-reactive protein

Produced by liver in response to inflammation