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Pulmonary Problems in Pregnancy pp 19–26Cite as

Respiratory Physiology in Pregnancy

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Part of the book series: Respiratory Medicine ((RM))

Pregnancy is a normal but altered physiologic state that results in significant hormonal, mechanical, and circulatory changes. The increases in progesterone and estrogen associated with pregnancy contribute to vascular and central nervous system effects, changes in the balance of bronchoconstrictor and bronchodilator prostanoids, and increases in peptide hormones that alter connective tissue characteristics. The course of pregnancy is accompanied by structural changes to the ribcage and abdominal compartments as a consequence of the hormonal changes and the enlarged uterus. Cardiac output, pulmonary blood flow, and circulating blood volume are all increased due to increased metabolic demands. This increase in blood volume without an increase in red cell mass results in a decreased hemoglobin concentration.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Fellow, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1830 East Monument Street, 5th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA

    Meredith C. McCormack MD, MHS

  2. Professor of Medicine, Johns Hopkins Asthma and Allergy Center, 5501 Hopkins Bayview Circle, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA

    Robert A. Wise

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  1. Meredith C. McCormack MD, MHS
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    © 2009 Humana Press, a part of Springer Science+Business Media, LLC

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    McCormack, M.C., Wise, R.A. (2009). Respiratory Physiology in Pregnancy. In: Rosene-Montella, K., Bourjeily, G. (eds) Pulmonary Problems in Pregnancy. Respiratory Medicine. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59745-445-2_2

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    • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59745-445-2_2

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    • Publisher Name: Humana Press

    • Print ISBN: 978-1-934115-12-1

    • Online ISBN: 978-1-59745-445-2

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