Learning outcomes

After completing this study session, you should be able to:

• Define and use appropriately all the keywords in bold.
• Describe the physiological changes that happen in the female reproductive system and their consequences during pregnancy.
• Discuss the normal and abnormal variations in the pregnant woman's respiration, circulation, digestion, urinary system, skin and breasts, including the production of colostrum.
• Discuss the effects of changes during pregnancy on blood pressure, cardiac output, blood volume and blood cells concentration.
• Describe the changes in the pregnant woman on the body weight.