Reproductive Physiology 3

Responses of mother’s body to pregnancy

weight gain

Source	Weight gain
fetus	4 kg
extrafetal material	2 kg
uterus	1 kg
breasts	1 kg
blood and ECF	3 kg
miscellaneous	2 kg

metabolism

nutrition

iron

vitamin D

vitamin K

changes in maternal circulation

blood flow to placenta

cardiac output

blood volume

respiration

minute ventilation

respiratory rate

urinary system

GFR

sodium retention

amniotic fluid and its formation

preeclampsia of pregnancy

eclampsia

Parturition

uterine myometrial changes

inhibition by progesterone

stimulation

stretching

estrogen

oxytocin

fetal adrenocorticotropin and cortisol

prostaglandins PGE₂, PGF₂a

Braxton-Hicks contractions

labor stages

1. dilatation

2. expulsion

episiotomy

Cesarean section

3. placental

4. recovery

placental abnormalities

placenta accreta

placenta percreta

placental previa

uterine involution

Got milk? ( Breast development and lactation )

breast development

growth of the ductal system [estrogens]

development of the lobule-alveolar system [progesterone]

initiation of lactation

prolactin

estrogen and progesterone

colostrum

hypothalamic control of prolactin

PIF

PRF

other essentials

glucocorticoids

insulin

PTH

suppression of female sexual cycle during nursing

ejection of milk (milk let-down)

oxytocin

myoepithelial cells

maternal metabolic drain from lactation

Special considerations of the neonate

circulatory system adjustments

loss of blood flow through placenta increases SVR

PVR decreases

closure of foramen ovale

closure of ductus arteriosus

closure of ductus venosus

respiratory system

blood volume

cardiac output

arterial pressure

blood characteristics

RBCs

leukocytes

erythroblastosis fetalis and neonatal jaundice (icterus neonatalis)

fluid, acid-base balances

liver function

bilirubin conjugation with glucuronic acid

plasma proteins

gluconeogenesis

hemostatic factors

digestion, absorption, and metabolism

metabolic rate and body temperature

nutritional needs

immunity

endocrine problems

prematurity

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