Learning Outcomes for Study Session 7

When you have studied this session, you should be able to:

7.1  Define and use correctly all of the key words printed in bold. (SAQ 7.6)

7.2  Describe physiological changes in the female reproductive system during pregnancy and the consequences of these changes for the pregnant woman. (SAQs 7.1 and 7.6)

7.3  Describe the average changes in the pregnant woman’s body weight. (SAQ 7.2)

7.4  Discuss changes in the cardiovascular system during pregnancy, and the effects on blood pressure, cardiac output, blood volume and red blood cell concentration. (SAQs 7.3, 7.4 and 7.6)

7.5  Recognise normal and abnormal changes in the pregnant woman’s respiration, digestion, urinary system, skin and breasts, including the production of colostrum. (SAQs 7.5 and 7.6)