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Physiology of Pregnancy

  • Trauma in Pregnancy (K Davis, Section Editor)
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

The purpose of this review is to familiarize the trauma practitioner with the normal physiologic changes of pregnancy allowing them to recognize when a traumatic injury has caused a derangement to one of these physiologic systems. While nearly every physiologic system is changed during pregnancy, this review focuses on the changes which are clinically relevant to the trauma patient.

Recent Findings

While there is scant new literature in this area, we review many of the landmark studies and essential text which have allowed practitioners to understand the complex physiology of the pregnant patient.

Summary

This article summarizes the physiologic changes in anatomy, the cardiovascular system, the respiratory system, the genitourinary system, the gastrointestinal system, the hematologic system, and the musculoskeletal system and highlights the relevant clinical findings which guide evaluation and management of the pregnant trauma patient.

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Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance •• Of major importance

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Yale School of Medicine, PO Box 208062, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA

    Kristin D. Oliveira

  2. Yale School of Medicine, PO Box 208063, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA

    Sonya S. Abdel-Razeq

Authors
  1. Kristin D. Oliveira
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  2. Sonya S. Abdel-Razeq
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Correspondence to Kristin D. Oliveira.

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The authors declare no conflicts of interest relevant to this manuscript.

Human and Animal Rights and Informed Consent

This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Trauma in Pregnancy

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Oliveira, K.D., Abdel-Razeq, S.S. Physiology of Pregnancy. Curr Trauma Rep 4, 211–217 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40719-018-0134-2

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