Pregnancy Physiology

Question 1

breast changes in pregnancy? (5)

Answer 1

increased size and vascularity
increased pigmentation of areola and nipple
secondary areola
Montgomery tubercles appear on areola
Colostrum can be expressed by end of 12w

Question 2

what happens to circulating blood volume?

Answer 2

increased 50-70%

Question 3

what happens to systemic vascular resistance?

Answer 3

falls - maximal 20-32w

Question 4

what happens to CO?

Answer 4

increases (40%) alongside stroke volume

Question 5

what happens in supine position?

Answer 5

25% reduction in CO

Question 6

what happens to CO in labour? 1st post delivery hour?

Answer 6

increases 10%

80% 1st hour

Question 7

when does CVS return to normal?

Answer 7

by 3 months

Question 8

what happens to BP postpartum?

Answer 8

initially falls then increases again 3-7d

Question 9

what happens to SVR post partum?

Answer 9

increases over first 2w to 30% above delivery levels

Question 10

what happens to oxygen demand and minute ventilation?>

Answer 10

oxygen demand 20%

minute ventilation 40-50%

Question 11

what decreases in respiratory?

Answer 11

decreased functional capacity

Question 12

what remains unchanged in respiratory pregnancy?

Answer 12

PEFR and FEV1 remain unchanged