Abstract
This chapter outlines the effects pregnancy has on the gastrointestinal system. It addresses the changes in lower esophageal sphincter tone, intragastric pressure, gastric volume and pH, and GERD.
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Keywords
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1.
Pregnancy compromises the integrity of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) , alters the anatomic relationship of the esophagus to the diaphragm and stomach, and raises intragastric pressure
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(a)
Stomach is displaced upward toward the left side of the diaphragm
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(b)
Decreased LES tone is likely due to smooth muscle relaxation properties of progesterone
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(c)
Changes return to pre-pregnancy levels by 48 h post-partum
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(a)
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2.
High rate of GERD during pregnancy . Risk factors include gestational age, GERD prior to pregnancy, and multiparity
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(a)
Maternal age has an inverse correlation
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(a)
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Gastric acid pH and volume is unchanged in pregnancy
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4.
Rate of gastric emptying is unchanged during pregnancy, but significantly prolonged during labor
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(a)
Esophageal peristalsis and intestinal transit are slowed
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(a)
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Wasson, C., Kelly, A., Ninan, D., Tran, Q. (2019). Gastrointestinal. In: Absolute Obstetric Anesthesia Review. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-96980-0_6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-96980-0_6
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Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-96979-4
Online ISBN: 978-3-319-96980-0
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