Symptoms of Pregnancy

Question 1

What are the early signs of pregnancy in the first 12 weeks?

Answer 1

1. Amenorrhoea
2. Nausea and vomiting
3. Bladder irritability
4. Breasts and nipples enlarge
5. Nipples darken

Question 2

Why do pregnant women experience headaches, palpitations, and fainting, and how is it managed?

Answer 2

1. Dilated peripheral circulation = sweating and feeling hot

2. Increase fluid intake, stand up slowly

Question 3

What causes increased urinary frequency in pregnancy and what should be excluded?

Answer 3

1. Pressure of foetal head on bladder in later pregnancy, GFR increases, increased output.
2. Exclude UTI

Question 4

What is the characteristic breathing symptom in pregnancy?

Answer 4

Breathlessness

Question 5

What is the cause of constipation in pregnancy and how is it managed?

Answer 5

1. Reduced gut motility

2. Increase oral fluids and high fibre diet

Question 6

Which gastric symptom gets worse through pregnancy and how is it managed?

Answer 6

1. GORD
2. Avoid smoking and spices, have cold small meals, antacids and H2 receptor blockers, sleep with several pillows semi-upright.

Question 7

What MSK pain is common in pregnancy and how is it managed?

Answer 7

1. Pelvic girdle pain - discomfort in pubic and sacroiliac joints.
2. Physio and analgesia, resolves after delivery.

Question 8

What symptoms do fluid retention cause in pregnancy and how are they managed?

Answer 8

1. Carpal tunnel syndrome - use wrist splints

2. Ankle oedema - check for pre-eclampsia, check for DVT, rest and leg elevation

Question 9

What should you check in pruritus in pregnancy?

Answer 9

Check for jaundice and LFTs

Question 10

What commonly cramps in pregnancy, when does it occur, and how is it managed?

Answer 10

1. Leg cramps
2. Latter half of pregnancy, worse at night
3. Raise foot of bed by 20cm

Question 11

What should be checked in a pregnant woman complaining of fatigue?

Answer 11

FBC for anaemia

Question 12

What is a common ache in pregnancy and how is it managed?

Answer 12

1. Backache

2. Resolves after delivery

Question 13

What are the causes of abdominal pain during pregnancy?

Answer 13

1. Early pregnancy - ectopic/miscarriage
2. Labour
3. Pre-eclampsia
4. Cardiac
5. Placental abruption
6. Uterine rupture/fibroids
7. Infection - pyelonephritis, appendicitis, cholecystitis, gastroenteritis