Lesson 4 Physiological Changes in Pregnancy

Breast changes (pregnancy)

Increased estrogen, progesterone, prolactin cause growth and colostrum production

Breast signs (pregnancy)

Tenderness, fullness, darkened areola, striae, prominent veins

Uterine changes (pregnancy)

Hypertrophy of uterine wall, increased contractility, mucus plug forms

Uterine signs (pregnancy)

Braxton-Hicks contractions, leukorrhea, cessation of menstruation, increased size

Chadwick's sign

Bluish discoloration of cervix and vagina

Goodell's sign

Softening of the cervix

Hegar's sign

Softening of the lower uterine segment

Cardiovascular changes (pregnancy)

Decreased vascular resistance, increased blood volume, cardiac output, RBCs, hypercoagulability, WBCs

Cardiovascular signs (pregnancy)

Increased resting heart rate, systolic murmurs, physiological anemia, edema, varicosities, hemorrhoids

Supine hypotensive syndrome

Drop in blood pressure from uterus compressing vena cava when lying flat

Respiratory changes (pregnancy)

Increased oxygen use, tidal volume, mild hyperventilation, diaphragm shifts up

Respiratory signs (pregnancy)

Dyspnea, nasal congestion, nosebleeds, decreased lung capacity, respiratory alkalosis

Renal changes (pregnancy)

Increased renal blood flow, GFR, urinary frequency, ureter dilation, glucosuria, proteinuria

Renal signs (pregnancy)

Urinary frequency, nocturia, increased UTI risk, incontinence, edema

GI changes (pregnancy)

Increased hCG and progesterone slow digestion, decrease gallbladder contractility

GI signs (pregnancy)

Nausea, vomiting, heartburn, bloating, pica, constipation, gingivitis, gallstone risk

Musculoskeletal changes (pregnancy)

Ligaments soften, joints more mobile, posture shifts, diastasis recti

Musculoskeletal signs (pregnancy)

Waddling gait, back pain, joint pain, higher injury risk

Neurological changes (pregnancy)

Increased headaches and fainting risk

Neurological signs (pregnancy)

Headaches, dizziness, syncope

Integumentary changes (pregnancy)

Increased melanin, linea nigra, stretch marks, spider nevi, palmar erythema, acne

Integumentary signs (pregnancy)

Hot flashes, facial flushing, sweating, acne, pigmentation changes

Endocrine changes (pregnancy)

Increased progesterone, estrogen, prolactin, oxytocin, thyroid activity, insulin

Endocrine signs (pregnancy)

Amenorrhea, milk ejection, heat intolerance, higher metabolic demand, hyperglycemia risk

Diastasis recti

Separation of abdominal muscles from uterine growth

Spider nevi

Small dilated blood vessels visible on skin during pregnancy

Palmar erythema

Redness of the palms during pregnancy

Mother Grows Big (mnemonic)

Memory tool for major pregnancy body system changes

M - Metabolic

Mother Grows Big mnemonic: metabolic changes

O - Oxygen

Mother Grows Big mnemonic: respiratory changes

T - Total Blood Volume

Mother Grows Big mnemonic: cardiovascular changes

H - Hormonal

Mother Grows Big mnemonic: hormonal changes

E - Excretory

Mother Grows Big mnemonic: renal changes

R - Reproductive

Mother Grows Big mnemonic: reproductive changes

G - GI System

Mother Grows Big mnemonic: gastrointestinal changes

B - Blood Coagulation

Mother Grows Big mnemonic: hypercoagulability

I - Immune System

Mother Grows Big mnemonic: immune changes

G - Gait and Musculoskeletal

Mother Grows Big mnemonic: musculoskeletal changes