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Common Maternal Complaints During Pregnancy (view source)
Revision as of 12:04, June 24, 2008
, 12:04, June 24, 2008Anaemia
* swelling of ankles and feet (also due to reduction in colloid osmotic pressure)
* swelling of ankles and feet (also due to reduction in colloid osmotic pressure)
* haemorrhoids (varicosation of rectal veins, aggravated by expanding uterus and gut (due to reduced motility)
* haemorrhoids (varicosation of rectal veins, aggravated by expanding uterus and gut (due to reduced motility)
* fainting (due to reduced cardiac output and a drop in blood pressure, lowering the upper body produces a reflex that restores normal circulation)
==Amaenia==
''What is it'' - lowering of concentration of red blood cells, which in turn reduces the concentration of oxygen in the blood
''How is it aggravated by pregnancy'' - during pregnancy there is an increase in total blood volume of around 1.5L (40%), however plasma levels increase more than red blood cell mass (45% vs. 30%). This results in what is known as dilutional amaemia (the haemocrit, or concentration of red blood cells in plasma, falls from 40% to 31%).
''How can it be treated'' - taking iron supplements, which aids the production of red blood cells
''Are there any associated conditions'' - dyspnoea (shortness of breath) due to the reduction in oxygen carry capabilities of the blood