Physiology in Pregnancy

Question 1

What are the breast changes which occur during pregnancy ?

Answer 1

Increase in size and vascularity.
Increased pigmentation of the areola.
Montgomery tubercles appears on the areola.
Colostrum like fluid can be expressed from the end of the 3rd month.

Question 2

What is Colostrum ?

Answer 2

High calorie antibodies which get passed from mother to baby .

Question 3

What changes occur in the CVS of a pregnant woman ?

Answer 3

Increased circulating blood volume.

Vascular resistance falls.

Increased blood flow which increases CO and SV.

Increased HR.

Increased O2 production.

Question 4

How long after pregnancy does it take for the CVS to return to normal ?

Answer 4

3 months

Question 5

What happens to the blood volume 3 days post delivery ?

Answer 5

Blood volume decreases by 10% 3 days post delivery.

Question 6

What position must you put a pregnant women in if sh arrests ?

Answer 6

Left lateral tilt - allows the blood to flow back to the heart.

Question 7

What occurs in the respiratory system during pregnancy ?

Answer 7

There is a significant increase in the demand for oxygen.
Increased RR
Increased Tidal Volume

Question 8

What are the renal change which occur during pregnancy ?

Answer 8

Dramatic dilatation of the urinary collecting system.
Increased renal plasma flow.
EGFR increases - decreased creatinine.
Protein excretion increased.
Glycosuria is common.
Urate increases with increasing gestation.

Question 9

What are the haematological changes which occur during pregnancy ?

Answer 9

Plasma colume increases.
Decrease in platelet count.
2-3 fold increase in the requirement for iron.
10-20 fold increase in requirement for folic acid.
WCC increases.

Pregnant women are in a hypercoaguable state.