Wonderful changes in blood circulation during pregnancy Escort the growth of the fetus

Mondo Health Updated on 2024-02-01

As a new life is about to be born, the mother's body undergoes a series of miraculous changes to ensure that the fetus receives enough nutrients and oxygen. Among them, the changes in the blood circulatory system are particularly striking. From the beginning of pregnancy to childbirth, the mother's blood circulation undergoes many adjustments to ensure the growth and development of the fetus. This article will delve into this wonderful process and reveal the various changes in the maternal circulatory system.

1.Increased blood volume during the first trimester.

From 6 weeks of gestation, the mother's blood volume gradually increases, and providing the fetus with sufficient blood** is the mother's priority. By 32 to 34 weeks' gestation, blood volume peaked, with a 35% increase compared to before pregnancy. On average, the blood volume is around 1400 ml, and this increase is mainly caused by an increase in plasma and red blood cells, of which plasma accounts for about 1100 ml and red blood cells about 300 ml. As a result, the blood becomes thinner, the haemoglobin drops from 130 g to 110 g litre when she was not pregnant, and the amount of protein in the serum also decreases.

2.Increase in clotting factors.

To reduce the risk of bleeding during delivery, most clotting factors increase during pregnancy. Among them, the increase in fibrinogen is as much as 50%, which plays a role in enhancing the blood's clotting ability. This physiological phenomenon is adjusted in the body of the pregnant woman to cope with the heavy bleeding that may occur during childbirth and to ensure the safety of the mother and fetus.

3.Adjustment of the cardiovascular system.

Pregnancy causes the uterus to enlarge, which in turn causes the diaphragm muscles to rise, and the heart to move upward, outward, and forward. As the number of gestational weeks increases, the heart muscle gradually becomes more hypertrophied, and its weight and volume increase slightly. At the same time, the heart rate also increases by an average of 10 15 beats per minute, and this change lasts until 6 weeks postpartum before gradually returning to normal.

4.Change in stroke volume and cardiac output.

At 32-34 weeks of gestation, stroke volume (the amount of blood excreted by the heart at a time) and cardiac output per minute reach a peak. Compared with the non-pregnant period, the heart stroke volume and cardiac output increased by 30% and 40%, respectively, and this state was maintained until delivery. This increase is essential for maintaining the growth of the fetus as it ensures adequate blood flow to the uterus to meet the fetus' nutrient and oxygen needs. However, it is important to note that if a pregnant woman has heart disease, it can lead to a decrease in the amount of blood in the heart, which in turn can lead to insufficient blood flow to the uterus. In this case, the incidence of preterm birth or low birth weight increases dramatically, with serious health implications for newborns.

The changes in the circulatory system during pregnancy are the crystallization of the body's wisdom, providing a precise and meticulous guarantee for the arrival of a new life. The increase in maternal blood volume, the adjustment of coagulation factors, the adaptation of the cardiovascular system, and the increase in stroke volume and cardiac output are all examples of nature's extraordinary design in the process of giving birth to life. However, it is also this wonderful process that makes us more aware of how the pregnant woman's body provides a good environment for the development of the fetus. Under the guidance of science, we can better understand and support pregnant women, ensure the health of the mother and fetus, and inject vitality and hope into a new life.

Pregnancy

Related Pages