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Maternal Anatomical and Physiological Adaption to Pregnancy

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The Diagnosis and Management of the Acute Abdomen in Pregnancy

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Abstract

The state of pregnancy is not pathological. Pregnancy is not a disease. Uncomplicated pregnancy, however, does cause significant anatomical and physiological alterations in the gravid female. Generally, these changes are reversible and do not interfere with good outcome.

However, if medical or surgical complications arise in pregnancy, then these alterations may have considerable impact on the outcome of the pregnancy in both mother and fetus.

Uterine enlargement affects other organs in the peritoneal cavity. The enlarging uterus displaces the intestines and omentum upward, creates pressure on the bladder and rectum, pushes the liver and stomach up against the diaphragm, which in turn, affects lung expansion and breathing, and may affect cardiac function, as well.

This chapter will elaborate on the normal anatomical and physiological changes that occur during pregnancy and what affects these changes may have when pathology occurs regarding the diagnosis and management of the acute abdomen.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Missouri – Kansas City School of Medicine, Kansas City, MO, USA

    Peter Bogach Greenspan DO, FACOG, FACS

  2. Obstetrical and Gynecological Services, Truman Medical Center Lakewood, Kansas City, MO, USA

    Peter Bogach Greenspan DO, FACOG, FACS

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  1. Peter Bogach Greenspan DO, FACOG, FACS
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Correspondence to Peter Bogach Greenspan DO, FACOG, FACS .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Missouri – Kansas City School of Medicine, Kansas City, Missouri, USA

    Peter Bogach Greenspan

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Greenspan, P.B. (2018). Maternal Anatomical and Physiological Adaption to Pregnancy. In: Greenspan, P. (eds) The Diagnosis and Management of the Acute Abdomen in Pregnancy . Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-62283-5_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-62283-5_1

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