Pregnancy Flashcards
Signs of presumptive pregnancy?
Amenorrhoea
Nausea + vomiting
Breast tenderness
Signs of probable pregnancy?
+ve Pregnancy test
Chadwick’s sign
Signs of positive pregnancy?
USS
Foetal HR detectable
What is chadwick’s sign?
Bluish tinge of vagina/cervix
What causes morning sickness?
Increased b-HCG levels
What makes morning sickness worse?
Molar preg
Multiple preg
What are the cardiac changes in pregnancy?
Increased CO by 30-50%
- Pulse increases by 20
BP decreased in 2nd trimester
Why does cardiac output increase in pregnancy?
Blood to uterus must exceed 1L/min
What causes BP to drop in the 2nd trimester?
Decreased sensitivity to angiotensin
What are the respiratory changes in pregnancy?
Low PCO2
- Increased tidal volume
- Increased RR
- Decreased pH
Shortness of breath
What causes reduced tidal volume, increased RR and reduced pH?
Progesterone directly
What is the pattern of SOB in pregnancy?
Gradual
Sudden = pathology
What happens to PO2 in pregnancy?
Stays the same
What are the urinary changes in pregnancy?
Increased urine output
- Renal plasma flow increases >25% –>
- GFR increases
- Low urea and creatinine
Increased risk of UTI
What causes the increased UTI risk in pregnancy?
Physiological hydronephrosis in 3rd trimester
- Can lead to pyelonephritis
What are the GI changes in pregnancy?
GORD
Decreased gastric emptying
What causes GORD in pregnancy?
Decreased oesophageal peristalsis
Relaxation of cardiac sphincter
What should be used to treat gastric issues in pregnancy?
Nitodin
What are the haematological changes in pregnancy?
Anaemia
Thrombocytopenia
Increased WCC
What causes anaemia in pregnancy?
Increase in MCV
Increase in plasma volume of 50%
- This leads to almost dilution of haemaglobin
When should iron supplements be used in pregnancy?
<110Hb before
<100 on 28 week test
What causes thrombocytopenia in pregnancy?
Dilution of platelets
