Maternal physiological adaptations during pregnancy Flashcards
(22 cards)
In pregnancy, which 2 structures secrete progesterone?
Corpus luteum
Placenta
What is the effect of progesterone on body temperature?
Increases body temperature
What is the effect of progesterone on smooth muscle?
Relaxation of smooth muscle
What is the major form of oestrogen in pregnancy?
Oestriol
Which trimester are relaxin levels highest?
First trimester
Which hormone correlates with placental and fetal weight?
Human placental lactogen (hPL)
Which cells secrete human placental lactogen (hPL)?
Syncytiotrophoblasts
How does human placental lactogen affect insulin?
What is the purpose of this?
Increases maternal insulin resistance - blood glucose stays higher for longer after meals
To make more glucose available for the foetus
Which hormone increases maternal insulin resistance?
Human placental lactogen
What prevents lactation during pregnancy?
High levels of oestrogen and progesterone blocking prolactin receptors
Prolactin decreases the level of which hormone?
What is the effect of this?
GnRH
No ovulation or menstruation whilst breastfeeding
Which hormone is primarily involved in the milk let-down reflex?
Oxytocin
In the first 14 weeks of pregnancy, cardiac output increases to what percentage above normal?
30 - 40%
How does MAP change during pregnancy?
MAP falls during first and second trimesters
In pregnancy, which hormone induces vasodilation?
Progesterone
In pregnancy, oedema is caused by an increase in what pressure?
Capillary hydrostatic pressure
In pregnancy, what increases more, plasma volume or red cell mass?
Plasma volume
In what way does haemoglobin concentration change in pregnancy?
Decreases
In pregnancy, in which direction does the oxygen-dissociation curve shift?
Right
What are the 2 key early signs of pre-eclampsia?
High blood pressure
Proteinuria
Pre-eclampsia is caused by the failure of invasion of which cells?
Trophoblasts
Define pre-eclampsia.
New onset hypertension (>140 mmHg systolic or >90 mmHg diastolic) after 20 weeks gestation plus proteinuria and/or maternal organ dysfunction
