PHYSIOLOGICAL CHANGES: Cardio - ANSWER Decrease in
peripheral vascular resistance (oedema)
Increase in blood volume by 40%
Increase in cardiac output by 30%-50%
Increase in RBC count by 30%( HgB lowers due to the increased blood
volume )
Increase in RBC volume by 17%-30%
Increase in WBC count
Increased demand for iron in fetal development
Hypercoagulability
Increased venous pressure and decreased blood flow to extremities due
to compression of iliac veins and inferior vena cava (causes pain)
Slight increase in heart rate(10-15 beats in 2nd Tri) and may feel
palpations
PHYSIOLOGICAL CHANGES: Respiratory - ANSWER -Hormones of
pregnancy stimulate the respiratory centre and act on lung tissue to
increase and enhance respiratory function
-Increase of oxygen consumption by 15%-20%( Breathe Deeper)
-Estrogen, progesterone, and prostaglandins cause vascular
engorgement and smooth muscle relaxation.
-Upward displacement of diaphragm by enlarging uterus. -Estrogen
causes a relaxation of the ligaments and joints of the ribs.
PHYSIOLOGICAL CHANGES: Integumentary - ANSWER -Increased
estrogen levels lead to color and vascular changes.
-Increased androgens lead to increase in sebaceous gland secretions.
-Increased action of adreno corticosteroids leads to cutaneous elastic
tissues becoming fragile.
-Estrogen and progesterone levels stimulate increased melanin
deposition, causing light brown to dark brown pigmentation..
, PHYSIOLOGICAL CHANGES: Gastro - ANSWER Increase levels of
hCG and altered carbohydrate metabolism
Increased progesterone levels lead to decreased muscle tone and
slowing of digestive processes.
Increased progesterone levels lead to decreased muscle tone of
gallbladder, resulting in prolonged emptying time.
Changes in senses of taste and smell
Displacement of intestines by uterus
Increased levels of estrogen lead to increased vascular congestion of
mucosa.
N/V in 1/3 of all women
More acid in salvia
hemorrhoids due to pressure
Physiological Changes: Musculoskelatal - ANSWER Increased
progesterone and relaxin levels lead to softening of joints and increased
joint mobility, resulting in widening and increased mobility of the
sacroiliac and symphysis pubis.
Distension of abdomen related to expanding uterus, reduced abdominal
tone, and increased breast size
Increased estrogen and relaxin levels lead to increased elasticity and
relaxation of ligaments.
Abdominal muscles stretch due to enlarging uterus
Cramps on muscle due to decrease calcium use a dorsi flexion and
stretch leg
Physiological Changes: Reproductive - ANSWER -Increase of estrogen
and progesterone levels: Initially produced by the corpus luteum and
then by the placenta
-Increased blood supply to breasts
-breast tenderness and tingling
-Increase of prolactin: Produced by the anterior pituitary
-Enlargement of uterus to accommodate developing fetus and
placenta
-Expanded circulatory volume leads to increased vascular
congestion.
-Acid pH of vagina
peripheral vascular resistance (oedema)
Increase in blood volume by 40%
Increase in cardiac output by 30%-50%
Increase in RBC count by 30%( HgB lowers due to the increased blood
volume )
Increase in RBC volume by 17%-30%
Increase in WBC count
Increased demand for iron in fetal development
Hypercoagulability
Increased venous pressure and decreased blood flow to extremities due
to compression of iliac veins and inferior vena cava (causes pain)
Slight increase in heart rate(10-15 beats in 2nd Tri) and may feel
palpations
PHYSIOLOGICAL CHANGES: Respiratory - ANSWER -Hormones of
pregnancy stimulate the respiratory centre and act on lung tissue to
increase and enhance respiratory function
-Increase of oxygen consumption by 15%-20%( Breathe Deeper)
-Estrogen, progesterone, and prostaglandins cause vascular
engorgement and smooth muscle relaxation.
-Upward displacement of diaphragm by enlarging uterus. -Estrogen
causes a relaxation of the ligaments and joints of the ribs.
PHYSIOLOGICAL CHANGES: Integumentary - ANSWER -Increased
estrogen levels lead to color and vascular changes.
-Increased androgens lead to increase in sebaceous gland secretions.
-Increased action of adreno corticosteroids leads to cutaneous elastic
tissues becoming fragile.
-Estrogen and progesterone levels stimulate increased melanin
deposition, causing light brown to dark brown pigmentation..
, PHYSIOLOGICAL CHANGES: Gastro - ANSWER Increase levels of
hCG and altered carbohydrate metabolism
Increased progesterone levels lead to decreased muscle tone and
slowing of digestive processes.
Increased progesterone levels lead to decreased muscle tone of
gallbladder, resulting in prolonged emptying time.
Changes in senses of taste and smell
Displacement of intestines by uterus
Increased levels of estrogen lead to increased vascular congestion of
mucosa.
N/V in 1/3 of all women
More acid in salvia
hemorrhoids due to pressure
Physiological Changes: Musculoskelatal - ANSWER Increased
progesterone and relaxin levels lead to softening of joints and increased
joint mobility, resulting in widening and increased mobility of the
sacroiliac and symphysis pubis.
Distension of abdomen related to expanding uterus, reduced abdominal
tone, and increased breast size
Increased estrogen and relaxin levels lead to increased elasticity and
relaxation of ligaments.
Abdominal muscles stretch due to enlarging uterus
Cramps on muscle due to decrease calcium use a dorsi flexion and
stretch leg
Physiological Changes: Reproductive - ANSWER -Increase of estrogen
and progesterone levels: Initially produced by the corpus luteum and
then by the placenta
-Increased blood supply to breasts
-breast tenderness and tingling
-Increase of prolactin: Produced by the anterior pituitary
-Enlargement of uterus to accommodate developing fetus and
placenta
-Expanded circulatory volume leads to increased vascular
congestion.
-Acid pH of vagina
