Anaesthesia Fundamentals | Physiology | Physiology of Pregnancy and Labour 1

Physiology of Pregnancy and Labour 1
Session Overview
Description
This session will explore the changes in cardiovascular, haematological and respiratory physiology during pregnancy and labour, providing the necessary knowledge for a doctor starting out in obstetric anaesthesia.

Learning Objectives
By the end of this session you will be able to:

• Describe the changes which occur in cardiac output, systemic vascular resistance, blood pressure and venous pressure in pregnancy
• Recognize the influence of aortocaval compression on the cardiovascular system in pregnancy
• Describe the changes which occur in blood volume, coagulation and plasma proteins during pregnancy
• Describe the anatomical changes in the respiratory system in pregnancy
• Identify the changes in lung mechanics and volumes in pregnancy
• Describe how blood gases and the pulmonary circulation change in pregnancy

Pregnancy induces immense physiological changes on the body to cope with the growing fetus, uterus and placenta. These are largely due to the effects of oestrogen and progesterone. Significant changes also occur during labour and immediately following delivery of the baby.

This session will explore the changes in cardiovascular, haematological and respiratory physiology during pregnancy and labour, providing the necessary knowledge for a doctor starting out in obstetric anaesthesia.