Pregnancy - Anatomical and Physiological Changes in the Reproductive System

The minute ventilation increases significantly, beginning in the first trimester and reaching 20 to forty % above base line by term. In active labor, hyper ventilation increases with tecipnia caused by pain and anxiety. Physiological hyper ventilation results in respiratory alkalosis. Mild hypoxemia might occur when the patient is in the supine position. The increased circumference of the thoracic age allows the vital capacity to remain unchanged,. Total lung capacity decreases only minimumly by term.