Curriculum of Obstetrics
TOPIC 5
PHYSIOLOGICAL CHANGES DURING PREGNANCY
RATIONALE
Almost all body systems change during pregnancy. Understanding these physiological changes will help the physician to understand the pathophysiological changes and enable the physician to deal with the problems of pregnant women.
GOAL
Know the basic physiological changes produced by pregnancy
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
l Describe genital changes during pregnancy, with emphasis on the difference between upper and lower uterine segments
l Describe the breast changes during pregnancy
l Describe the cardiovascular changes during pregnancy
CONTENT
l Changes in genital organs
l Changes in skin (coetaneous changes)
l Changes in urinary system
l Endocrine and metabolic changes
l Other systems (GIT, respiratory)
