Signs and Physiologic Changes of Pregnancy

Introduction

• Presenter: Maris
• Topic: Signs and physiologic changes of pregnancy
• Reference: Maternity flashcards from leveluprn.com

Signs of Pregnancy

Categories of Signs

1. Presumptive Signs

   • Symptoms: Tiredness, nausea, amenorrhea (absence of menstruation), breast changes.
   • Characteristics: Suggest pregnancy but can have other explanations.

2. Probable Signs

   • Ballotment: Sensation a healthcare provider feels in the uterus, indicating movement or fluid.
   • Positive Pregnancy Test: Indicates presence of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), not definitive.
   • Chadwick sign: Cervix feels significantly soft.
   • Goodell sign: Bluish-purplish coloration.
   • Hagar’s Sign: Softening of the lower uterine segment.
   • Changes in the cervix detectable by a healthcare provider.
   • Characteristics: Suggest pregnancy but are not definitive.

3. Positive Signs

   • Fetal Heart Sounds: No other explanation.
   • Ultrasound Visual of Fetus: Definitive sign.
   • Healthcare Provider Feels Fetal Movement: Definitive, unlike patient-detected movement.
   • Characteristics: Without a doubt confirming pregnancy.

Physiologic Changes in Pregnancy

Cardiovascular System

• Blood Volume Increase: Up by almost 50%.
  • Effects: Edema (swelling), possible tachycardia (increased heart rate).
• Dilutional Anemia:
  • Lower hemoglobin and hematocrit due to plasma volume increase.
  • Anemia diagnosis if hemoglobin <11g/dL (1st and 3rd trimesters) or <10.5g/dL (2nd trimester).

Musculoskeletal System

• Hormone Relaxin:
  • Relaxes ligaments for labor, but can cause clumsiness and incoordination.

Supine Hypotension Syndrome

• Caused by: Pressure from gravid uterus on inferior vena cava when lying supine.
• Effects: Hypotension (low blood pressure) due to impaired blood return to heart.
• Solution: Avoid lying flat on back, use a pillow under one hip.

Gastrointestinal and Integumentary Changes

• Common Symptoms: Constipation, nausea, vomiting.
• Cloasma: Discoloration of face.
• Striae Gravidarum: Pregnancy-related stretch marks.
• Linea Nigra: Dark line along abdomen.

Conclusion

• Encouragement to like video, provide feedback, and subscribe.
• Upcoming video on OB-GYN visits across trimesters.
• Invitation to share resources with fellow students.