+Controls growth and
function of the uterus
| +Hypertrophy
of the musculature |
| +Proliferation
of the Endometrium |
| +Increased
blood supply to the utero-placental unit (estriol) |
|
| +Breast development: ducts, alveoli, nipples |
| +Enlargement of the external genitalia |
+Increased pliability
of connective tissue (becomes hygroscopic and softer)
| +Relaxation
of pelvic joints and ligaments |
| +Streachabilty
of the cervix |
|
| +Decreased gastric
secretion of hydrochloric acid and pepsin |
| +Increased
pigmentation of the skin (increased melanocyte-stimulating
hormone to pituitary) |
| +Sodium and water
retention |
| +Vascular changes:
50% increase in clotting potential of blood fibrinogen (Factor
1) |
| +Increased
production of estriol in the late trimester |
| +Psychological
changes |
|
| +Increased breast size and tenderness |
| +Lordosis, backache |
| +Cervical dilatation |
| +Indigestion, nausea, heartburn, decreased
absorption of fat |
| +Cervical dilatation |
| +Enhances rhythmic
uterine contractions and increased vascularity and
responsiveness to Oxytocin stimulation; may stimulate Prostiglandin
production |
| +Contributes to
headaches for some women |
| +Hyperpigmentation:
chloasma, darkened genitalia, areola, linea nigra |
| +Edema: increased
plasma volume (physiologic anemia0 |
| +Increased
sedimentation rate |
| +Palmar erythema,
vascular spiders, angiomata |
| +Emotional labiality
and libido changes |
| +Common symptoms
also seen with PMS |
+Measurement of
estriol in the urine or amount of amniotic fluid might be an
indicator of fetal well being
| Decreased:
anacephaly; Addison's disease in mother; fetal demise;
drug use such as antibor glucose in the urine |
| Increased:
twins, erythroblastosis |
|
| +Tenderness of the
symphysis pubis |
|
Growth hormone-like
action in pregnancy
| +Anti-insulin
effect |
| +Sparer of
glucose and protein in the mother |
| +Maintains
adequate supply of nutrients for the fetus when the
mother is fasting |
|
| +Amount of HPL
secreted correlates with fetal and placental weight |
| +May effect the
increased incorporation of iron into erythrocyces |
| +Stimulates breast
development, casein synthesis and promotes milk production |
| +Blood levels relate
to placental function, which may provide basis of screening for
potential complications |
|
| +More glucose is
available for fetal use |
| +Increased protein
synthesis |
| +Increased
circulating fatty acids for increased metabolic needs
(conservation of glucose and amino acids for use by the fetus) |
| +Inadequate maternal
glucose intake results in ketosis, which may impair fetal brain
development |
| +High levels of HPL
are found in association with multiple pregnancies |
+Serial HPL levels
are used to help assess:
| +Suspected
SGA |
| +42 week
pregnancies |
| +Chronic
Hypertension |
|
|
|
Resources
and References |
| About Midwives:
Additional Resources and References |
|
http://home.comcast.net/~webmidwife1/ |
| Beta HCG Levels |
| http://www.childbirth.org/articles/pregnancy/betas.html |
| Belly Gallery |
| http://pregnancy.about.com/health/pregnancy/library/belly/blbellyindex.htm |
| Birth Control and
Fertility Awareness |
|
http://home.comcast.net/~prebirthhealth/fertility_webs.htm |
| Encyclopedia
Britannica On Line |
| http://www.britannica.com/ |
| Fertility Charting |
|
http://home.comcast.net/~prebirthhealth/fertility_charting.htm |
| Fertility Cycles |
|
http://home.comcast.net/~prebirthhealth/fertility_cycles.htm |
| Fertility Links |
|
http://home.comcast.net/~prebirthhealth/fertility_webs.htm |
|
Merck Manual On
Line http://www.merck.com/ |
|
Normal Monthly
Hormonal Cycle
|
Terms
| BMR = Basic
Metabolic Rate |
| LH = Leutenizing
Hormone |
| SGA= Small for
Gestational Age |
|
|
Ultrasound
Gallery
http://pregnancy.about.com/health/pregnancy/library/ultrasounds/blusindex.htm |
