Pregnacy Physiology

Question 1

Prolactin

Answer 1

Allows for breastmilk production

Question 2

Estrogen

Answer 2

Growth of fetal organs and maternal tissues

Question 3

Progesterone and relaxin

Answer 3

Relaxes smooth muscles

Question 4

hCG

Answer 4

Produced by placenta prevents menstruation

Question 5

Oxytocin

Answer 5

Stimulates contractions at the start of labor

Question 6

Respiratory

Answer 6

Increased basal metabolic rate
Increased oxygen needs
Respiratory alkalosis mild

Question 7

Cardiovascular

Answer 7

Increased cardiac output
Increased heart rate plus increased stroke volume
Blood pressure stays the same or a slight decrease, blood pressure should not be increased this could indicate preeclampsia
Increased plasma volume
Heart enlarges
May develop systolic murmur’s

Question 8

Renal

Answer 8

Increased GFR from increased plasma volume
Smooth muscle relaxation of the uterus equals increased risk of UTI
Increased urgency frequency and nocturnia
Edema

Question 9

Striae

Answer 9

Stretch marks abdomen, brass, hips

Question 10

Chloasma

Answer 10

Mask of pregnancy
Brownish hyper pigmentation of the skin

Question 11

Montgomery glands/tubercles

Answer 11

Small rough/nodular/pimple like appearance of the areola

Question 12

Musculoskeletal 

Answer 12

Lordosis, center of gravity shift forward leading to inward curve of spine
Lower back pain
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Calf cramps

Question 13

Pituitary

Answer 13

Decreased FSH/LH due to increased progesterone
Increase prolactin
Increase oxytocin

Question 14

Thyroid

Answer 14

Increased thyroxine
May have moderate enlargement of the thyroid gland
Increased metabolism and increased appetite

Question 15

Gastrointestinal

Answer 15

Pyrosis increase progesterone equal LOS to relax equal increase heartburn
Constipation and hemorrhoids, increased progesterone equals decreased gut motility
Pica, non-food cravings such as ice, clay, and laundry starch

Question 16

Hematological

Answer 16

Fibrinogen nonpregnant levels 200 to 400 mg/dL
Fibrinogen pregnant levels up to 600 mg/dL
Pregnant women are hyper coagulable, increased risk for DVT
Increased white blood cells, decreased platelets
Anemia Plasma volume is greater than the amount of RBC that equals hemodilution which equals physiological anemia