Physiological changes - IV volume increases by 30-50%
- GFR increases by 50% so that pre-existing proteinuria will get worse
- Prothrombotic state, estrogen induced hypercoaguability, venous stasis, compression from gravid uterus increase the risk of VTE by 5 fold
- RBC mass increases to a lesser extent than plasma volume, hemodiulution anemia
- Increased progesterone reduces GI motilityand sphincter tone, added by uterine compression, GERD occurs in 80% of pregnant patients
- slow gi transit time exacerbates constipation in patients with Systemic Sclerosis
- pregnancy related rash can be confused with autoimmune rash
- facial and palmar erythema caused by preg- nancy-induced vasodilatation mimicking inflammatory rash
- Chloasma gravidarum, an estrogen-induced facial hyperpigmentation, may similarly suggest a malar rash
- Hormone-induced ligamentous laxity often causes arthralgias.
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