Physiological changes of normal pregnancy
Cardiovascular
- dec systemic vascular resistance (~30%) - the primary event, from ~6 weeks
- inc cardiac output 30-50% (inc stroke volume early, inc HR 10-20 bpm later)
- inc plasma volume 40-50%, inc red cell mass 20-30%
- BP falls, nadir at ~20-24 weeks (mid-second trimester), returns to baseline by term
- Aortocaval compression from ~20 weeks -> supine hypotension; left lateral tilt
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