Pregnancy

Cardiovascular & Respiratory Changes

Blood volume (plasma) increases up to 50% by week 34.
Body temperature increases by 0.5-1.0 degrees.
Exercise is very beneficial, but care should be taken to not overheat for the above reasons.
Moderate to low-intensity exercise should be performed being able to maintain a conversation whilst working.
Circulating progesterone sensitises the respiratory centres to CO2, which results in an increased respiratory rate of around 18 breaths per minute.

Increased pigmentation of the vulva, nipples and face.
Later in pregnancy, a dark line can appear over the linea alba.
Stretch marks can appear from the rapidly changing skin – moisturising the skin regularly can maintain moister balance.

Accept help when it is available, pace daily activities if you find you are struggling.
Avoid trying to complete every task if you are having a ‘good day’, try to pace things out rest in between activities.
Eating for two is not a need in pregnancy, it is a common myth. Maintaining a healthy balanced diet is key, as the baby grows eating little and often might be best due to decreased room in the stomach.
For most women, a folic acid supplement is strongly recommended, this is to aid the development of the baby, speak to your GP or midwife about this.

You should always seek immediate medical advice if you have any bleeding/increased discharge, do not feel foetal movements as usual, severe back/chest or pelvic pain, new headaches, blurred vision/flashing lights or visual changes, new onset of limb swelling/pain/redness, severe itching, new onset of thirst, severe nausea or diarrhea, fever or shoulder tip pain.
Most people will have midwife contact details on their maternity notes and a direct dial number to the hospital obstetric ward.

Pregnancy is a beautiful thing and most women do not have any problems at all.