Maternal Adaptation- Systems 2

Cardiovascular: Increase blood volume

50% level

Cardiovascular: Increase in

Cardiac output, venous return, heart rate

Cardiovascular: Slight decline in

blood pressure until mid-pregnancy, then returns to normal

Cardiovascular: increase in number of RBC

plasma levels> RBC leading to hemodilution (physiologic anemia)

Cardiovascular: hypercoagulable state b/c of increase in

Iron demands, fibrin and plasma fibrinogen levels and some clotting factors

Respiratory: Breathing is more diaphragmatic than abdominal

increase in chest circumference, tidal volume and diaphragmatic excursion

Respiratory: Increase in the amount of

oxygen consumption

Respiratory: Increased vascularity causing

congestion

Integumentary: Hyperpigmentation

mask of pregnancy (Facial melanoma)

Integumentary: belly

Linea nigra, Striae gravidarum

Integumentary: Legs

Varicosities, Vascular spiders

Integumentary: palmer

erythema

Integumentary: decline in

hair growth

Integumentary: increase in

nail growth

Striae gravidarum

stretch marks

Endocrine glands

Thyroid, Pituitary, Pancreas, Adrenal glands, Placenta secretion

Thyroid gland: enlarges and

transfers from mother to fetus which is essential for fetal brain development

Thyroid gland

neurogenesis and organizational processes

Pituitary gland: increase in prolactin, MHS

slow gradual increase of oxytocin with fetal maturation

Pituitary gland: decrease in TSH

Enlarges by 135%

Pituitary gland:Growth hormone (GH)

inhibition of FSH and LH

Pancreas: Insulin resistance due to

hPL and other hormones in the second half of the pregnancy. The mother must make more to overcome this

Adrenal glands:

increase in cortisol and aldosterone secretion

Placental secretion:

hCG, hPL, relaxin, progesterone, estrogen

Endocrine: secretion of

Prostaglandin

Decrease in tsh with the elevated hCG attributes to

morning sickness and vomiting

melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH)

reason for hyperpigmentation

Aldosterone is a key regulator of

electrolyte and water homeostasis and plays a central role in blood pressure regulation.

Prostaglandin are local hormones that are used to

help soften the cervix and begin/maintain labor