The document outlines key pregnancy hormones, including estrogen and its effects on the body during pregnancy, such as increased vascularization and changes in glucose metabolism. It details various lab values and normal ranges for blood components, highlighting changes that occur postpartum compared to prepregnant levels. Additional notes include common symptoms and findings associated with these hormonal changes during pregnancy.

1. Pregnancy Hormones & Lab Values Pregnancy Hormones: Estrogen Progesterone Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Human Placental Lactogen Prolactin Oxytocin Follicle-Stimulating Hormone Oxytocin Lab Values – blood, acid-base, hepatic, renal, minerals & vitamins

2. Pregnancy Hormone: Estrogen Levels rises in serum & urine - basis of test for maternal/placental/fetal well-being Uterine enlargement – probable sign of pregnancy Breast enlargement – probable sign of pregnancy; increased tingling, tenderness Genital enlargement: ↑ vascularization, hyperplasia – vaginal growth facilitates vaginal birth Softens connective tissue – results in backache & leg ache; relaxes joints to increase size of birth canal & rib cage

3. Pregnancy Hormone: Estrogen (cont.) ↓ HCl and pepsin -> digestive upsets Antagonist to insulin -> makes glucose available to fetus Anti-insulin effect challenges maternal pancreas to produce more insulin; failure of ß-cells to respond leads to gestational diabetes Supports fat deposition -> protect source of energy for fetus Sodium & water retention -> edema of lower extremities; meet ↑ plasma volume needs

4. Pregnancy Hormone: Estrogen (cont.) ↑ Coagulability -> ↑ tendency to thrombosis ↑ Sedimentation rate (SR) -> SR loses diagnostic value for heart disease ↑ Vasodilation; spider nevi; palmar erythema – resolving spontaneously after birth ↑ Production of melanotropin (melanin-stimulating hormone) -> causes the following, which resolve spontaneously after birth: chloasma or facial melasma, linea nigra, striae gravidarum or stretch marks

5. Blood Values @72°, 12-16 10-14 g/dL 12-16 g/dL Hgb( @ sea level) @72°,37-47% ↓ 32% - 42% 37% - 47% Hct (PCV) 20000–25000 w/in 10-12 d 9000 – 16000 25000 - labor 4000-11000 WBC 1600 mL 1900 mL 1600 mL RBC volume @72°, 250 400 mg/dL 250 mg/dL Fibrinogen 2400 mL 3700 mL 2400 mL Plasma volume Postpartum Pregnant Prepregnant Component

6. Mineral and Vitamins Slight ↓ 3.5 – 5.0 Albumin (g/dL) @ 72°, back to prepregnant level ↓ 70 – 105 Blood glucose, fasting (mg/dL) 5.5 – 7.5 6.4 – 8.3 Total Protein (g/dL) Moderate ↓ Normal Vitamin B 12 , folic acid, ascorbic acid Postpartum Pregnant Prepregnant Component

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