Sonja is pregnant. Over the next 40 weeks, her uterus will enlarge as the placenta develops and the fetus grows, her abdomen will add skin to accommodate distension, her breasts will grow, her blood volume will increase, and many other changes will occur. Using what you have learned about basic cardiovascular physiology, predict how parameters such as blood pressure and cardiac output will
change. (Note that the fetus has a separate cardiovascular system, which does not need to be considered.) Explain your answer.
What will be an ideal response?
(Note to the instructor: These predictions are logical, but not all actually happen.) The growth of maternal tissues will require addition of blood vessels, thus total vessel length will increase. This would increase total peripheral resistance. Blood pressure may increase with increasing blood volume, and also to overcome the greater resistance and return the blood to the heart. Stroke volume should increase; cardiac output may increase as a result, or may remain the same if heart rate decreases.
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