physiology in pregnancy

Question 1

what are general physiological changes in pregnancy ?

Answer 1

mechanical
metabolism increase
fatigue 
heartburn
oedema
breast changes
thyroid 
immunosuppression
weight gain

Question 2

what are breast changes in pregnancy ?

Answer 2

increased size and vascularity - warm, tender
increased pigmentation of areola and nipple
Montgomery tubercles appear on areola
fluid expression

Question 3

what are cardiovascular changes in pregnancy ?

Answer 3

increase circulating blood volume
systemic vascular resistance falls
increased blood flow, cardiac output, heart rate
increased O2 consumption

Question 4

what are intrapartum cardiovascular changes ?

Answer 4

increased catecholamines

cardiac output increases by 10% in labour and 80% 1 hour post delivery

Question 5

what are post partum cardiovascular changes ?

Answer 5

blood volume decreases by 10% 3 days post delivery
BP falls then increases over 6 weeks
return to normal by 3 months

Question 6

what are respiratory changes in pregnancy ?

Answer 6

increase in O2 demand
40-50% increase in minute ventilation
increase RR, tidal volume
decreased functional residual capacity
PCO2 decrease

Question 7

what are renal changes during pregnancy ?

Answer 7

dilatation of urinary collecting system
increased renal plasma flow 
increased GFR
may have microscopic haematuria
decreases urea and creatinine

Question 8

what are haematological changes in pregnancy ?

Answer 8

increased plasma volume
decreased Hb, hcrit, RBC
no change to MCV 
decreased platelets
2-3 increase in iron demand
10-20 increase in folate demand
WCC increase
hypercoaguable

high alk phos