Chapter 2 Maternal physiology and pathophysiology
Dermot Nicolson and
Rachel Collis
- • Major physiological changes occur during pregnancy
- • These changes are brought about by hormonal factors and mechanical factors from the enlarging uterus
- • An understanding of these physiological changes is vital: they have implications for the safe care of the pregnant patient and conduct of anaesthesia
- • Knowledge of the physiological changes allows us to anticipate the effect that pregnancy will have on co-morbid medical conditions.