Changes in the female body during pregnancy.

During pregnancy, the woman’s body undergoes significant physiological changes that ensure the proper development of the fetus, prepare the body for the upcoming birth and feeding. In this difficult period, the load on all organs and systems of the woman’s body increases significantly, which can lead to exacerbation of chronic diseases and the development of complications. That is why it is necessary to register as soon as possible in the antenatal clinic, go through all the necessary specialists and pass the tests. This will allow you to take adequate preventive measures and prepare for childbirth.

A heart

The cardiovascular system during pregnancy performs more intense work, as an additional placental circle of blood circulation appears in the body. Here the blood flow is so great that every minute 500 ml of blood passes through the placenta. The heart of a healthy woman during pregnancy easily adapts to additional loads: heart muscle mass and cardiac output increase.

To meet the growing fetal needs for nutrients, oxygen and building materials in the mother's body, blood volume begins to increase, reaching a maximum by 7 months of pregnancy. Instead of 4000 ml of blood, 5300-5500 ml is now circulating in the body. In pregnant women with heart disease, this load can cause complications; that is why, for a period of 27-28 weeks, they are recommended hospitalization in specialized maternity hospitals.

Arterial pressure

Blood pressure during a normal pregnancy practically does not change. On the contrary, in women who have an increase in it before or in the early stages of pregnancy, in the middle of pregnancy it usually stabilizes and is in the range of 100 / 60-130 / 85 mm Hg. This is due to a decrease in the tone of peripheral blood vessels under the action of the hormone progesterone.

However, in the last trimester of pregnancy, blood pressure can increase, reaching very high values. High blood pressure (140/90 mmHg and above) is one of the signs of late toxicosis of pregnant women. This condition is very dangerous and may require emergency delivery.

Lungs

Due to the increased oxygen demand of a woman’s body during pregnancy, lung activity increases. Despite the fact that with the development of pregnancy, the diaphragm rises and restricts the respiratory movements of the lungs, their capacity increases.

This occurs due to the expansion of the chest, as well as due to the expansion of the bronchi. An increase in the volume of inhaled air during pregnancy facilitates the removal of used oxygen by the fetus through the placenta. The respiratory rate does not change, remains 16-18 times per minute, slightly increasing towards the end of pregnancy. Therefore, with the appearance of shortness of breath or other respiratory disorders, the pregnant woman must consult a doctor.

Kidney

The kidneys during pregnancy function with great stress, as they remove from the body the metabolic products of the pregnant woman and her growing fetus. The amount of urine produced varies depending on the amount of fluid you drink. A healthy pregnant woman excrets an average of 1200-1600 ml of urine per day, while 950-1200 ml of urine is excreted in the daytime, the rest - at night.

Under the influence of the hormone progesterone, the tone of the bladder decreases, which can lead to stagnation of urine. In these conditions, the introduction of infection into the urinary tract is facilitated, so pregnant women often have an exacerbation of pyelonephritis. A urinary tract infection is indicated by the appearance of leukocytes in urine tests - more than 10-12 in the field of view.

In addition, a pregnant uterus, turning slightly to the right, may cause difficulty in the outflow of urine from the right kidney. In this case, the risk of hydronephrosis increases, that is, the expansion of the pelvis and calyx due to excessive accumulation of urine in them.

Digestive organs

For many women, in the first 3 months of pregnancy, changes in the digestive organs are observed: nausea appears and often vomiting in the morning (signs of early toxicosis), taste sensations change, and a tendency to unusual substances (clay, chalk) appears. As a rule, these phenomena pass by 3-4 months of pregnancy, sometimes at a later date. Under the influence of placental hormones, intestinal tone decreases, which often leads to constipation.

The intestine is pushed up by the pregnant uterus, the stomach also moves up and squeezes, while part of its contents can be thrown into the esophagus and cause heartburn (especially in the second half of pregnancy). In such cases, it is recommended that you take antacids (for example, Maalox, Rennie), eat 2 hours before bedtime and position in bed with a raised head end.

The liver during pregnancy works with a greater load, since it neutralizes the metabolic products of the woman and the fetus.

Joints

During pregnancy, women experience some looseness in the joints. The joints of the pelvis become especially mobile, which facilitates the passage of the fetus through it during childbirth. Sometimes the softening of the pelvic joints is so pronounced that there is a slight discrepancy in the pubic bones. Then the pregnant woman has pain in the bosom, a duck walk. It is necessary to inform the doctor about this and get appropriate recommendations.

Mammary gland

During pregnancy, the mammary glands are prepared for the upcoming feeding. They increase the number of lobules, adipose tissue, improves blood circulation. The mammary glands increase in size, the nipples are rude.

Genitals

The greatest changes during pregnancy occur in the genitals and concern mainly the uterus. The pregnant uterus is constantly increasing in size, by the end of pregnancy its height reaches 35 cm instead of 7-8 cm outside of pregnancy, the mass increases to 1000-1200 g (without a fetus) instead of 50-100 g. The volume of the uterine cavity increases by about 500 by the end of pregnancy time. Change in the size of the uterus occurs due to an increase in the size of muscle fibers under the influence of placental hormones.

Blood vessels expand, their number increases, they seem to braid the uterus. Irregular contractions of the uterus are observed, which become more active by the end of pregnancy and feel like a “squeeze”. These so-called Brexton-Hicks contractions, noted normal from the 30th week of pregnancy, are considered as training before real contractions in childbirth.

The position of the uterus changes in accordance with its size. By the end of 3 months of pregnancy, she goes beyond the pelvis, and closer to childbirth reaches the hypochondrium. The uterus is held in position by ligaments that thicken and stretch during pregnancy. Pain that occurs on the sides of the abdomen, especially during a change in body position, is often caused by ligament tension. Blood supply to the external genitalia is enhanced, varicose veins may appear in the vagina and on the labia (the same varicose veins can also appear on the lower extremities and in the rectum).

Weight gain

Fetal growth and physiological changes in the body of a pregnant woman affect her body weight. In a healthy woman, by the end of pregnancy, body weight increases on average by 12 kg with fluctuations from 8 to 18 kg. Usually in the first half of pregnancy it increases by 4 kg, in the second half - 2 times more. A weekly weight gain of up to 20 weeks is approximately 300 + 30 g, from 21 to 30 weeks - 330 + 40 g and after 30 weeks before childbirth - 340 + 30 g. For women with weight loss before pregnancy, weekly weight gain may still be more.

Woman psychology

In addition to physiological changes in the body, a pregnant woman's mental state changes.

Various factors influence the woman’s attitude to pregnancy and childbirth, including social, moral, ethical, economic, etc., as well as personality characteristics of the pregnant woman herself.

In the first half of pregnancy, most women are more concerned about their own health, and in the second half, especially after the appearance of fetal movements, all the thoughts and worries of the expectant mother are aimed at the well-being of the fetus. A woman can appeal to a child with affectionate words, she fantasizes, endowing him with individual characteristics. Along with this, many women consciously abandon some attachments and habits for the sake of impending motherhood.

Also, pregnant women may experience various concerns and fears. During this period, a woman may be concerned about changes in appearance, loss of attractiveness, relationships with her husband.

Close relatives (especially the husband) should become a reliable support for the pregnant woman and try to provide the woman with psychological comfort. With severe anxiety, a depressed state of a pregnant woman, it is recommended to seek the advice of a specialist.