Pregnancy and Maternal Health Care
Changes in Women’s Bodies: The Circulation
Author: Sharon Keisha
The circulatory system of the pregnant woman also suffers small changes during pregnancy, changing to adapt to the new life that will be brewing. The mission of the mother’s blood during pregnancy is to supply the substances needed for fetal development and eliminate waste, using as an intermediary body that is created on purpose during pregnancy: the placenta
Blood
During pregnancy, all the blood vessels dilate and the increased maternal blood volume in a liter and a half: it goes from 4 to 5 or 6 liters. Red cells are thus dissolved in a larger amount of plasma-fluid part of blood. As the need for iron increases to prevent a deficiency anemia this item is prescribed to supplement the mother during the course of pregnancy.
Veins
The growing uterus often hinders the return of blood from the legs to the heart, the legs tend to swell and there is risk of varicose veins. If the inferior vena cava, which returns blood to the heart is compressed by the uterus, may be bothered, especially when lying on his back. To avoid them, just unlock the veins: it is best to lie on the left side as the inferior vena cava passes into the uterus right.
The Pulse
The heart rate accelerates from 10 to 15 beats per minute, even during sleep, and something else in case they are twins. Usually between 60 and 90 beats per minute. Cardiac output increases by 30 0 50% since the end of the first quarter to the end of pregnancy. The heart beats faster because it has to pump more blood throughout the cardiovascular system adapts to the additional efforts that inevitably must be made during pregnancy.
Blood Pressure
Slightly low blood pressure during the first two trimesters of pregnancy because the blood vessels are dilated. As the end of it, the voltage returns to its previous level (from pre-pregnancy), but should not exceed the value 14 / 9.
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