Physiology in pregnancy Flashcards
what happens to the breast during pregnancy?
increased size and vascularity, they become warm, tense and tender
what type of fluid does Montgomery tubules on the areola secrete?
Sebaceous Fluid
when is colostrum like fluid expressed from the breast?
End of month 3
by how much does circulating blood volume increase during pegnancy?
50-70% , also systemic vascular resistance falls and there is an increase in CO and SV
why is the supine position bad in pregnancy
blocks the IVC and there is a 25% reduction in CO
What is physiological anaemia?
WCC, circulating volume increase but RBC’s don’t increase as much.
name 3 intrapartum CVS changes
Increase in circulating catecholamines (due to pain), autotransfusion of contractions, CO increases by 10% then by 80% 1hr post delivery.
What postpartum changes are important?
bp initially falls by 10% then increases 3-7 days after, so do not take patients of anti-hypertensives during this period
How much does CO increase by post delivery for the first hour
80%
what are the Respiratory changes
o2 demand increases by 20%, increases RR and TV, decreased residual capacity and decreased pCo2, however there Is unchanged PEFR and FEV1
Renal changes
Dilatation of the collecting system, increased unrine output, 60-80% increase in renal plasma flow, increase in protein excretion, decreased Urea and creatinine levels
what happens to GRF and creatinine clearance?
increases by 50%
what common renal issues do women present with in pregnancy
oedema and microscopic haematuria (oedema due to dreased colloid oncotic pressure)
what is used as a marker for pre-eclampsia
Urate (urate levels increasse with gestation)
what haematological changes occour?
increase in plasma volume, WCC adnd rbc count / decrease in Hb, haematocrit, platelet count.
