Physiological changes and pathophysiology in pregancy

Dr Jen Jardine reviews the physiological adaptations of pregnancy by system, including the altered reference ranges and maternity early warning thresholds, and explains how these can mask or mimic pathology. She covers the key conditions behind maternal deaths and morbidity (VTE, sepsis, cardiac disease, pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, anaemia and liver disorders), with practical points on aspirin prophylaxis, early LMWH, antihypertective treatment and red-flag symptoms. The talk is aimed at non-obstetric clinicians and also stresses that pregnancy complications are markers of long-term cardiovascular, metabolic and hepatobiliary risk, so should be asked about routinely.