Obstetric and intrapartum emergencies : a practical guide to management / edited by Edwin Chandraharan, Sir Sabaratnam Arulkumaran.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

"1 Anatomical and physiological changes in pregnancy : impact on emergency care Niraj Yanamandra and Edwin Chandraharan Begin Key Facts Key facts Pregnancy is associated with profound anatomical, physiological, biochemical and endocrine changes that affect multiple organs and systems. These changes are essential to help the woman to adapt to the pregnant state and to aid fetal growth and survival. However, such anatomical and physiological changes may cause confusion during clinical examination of a pregnant woman. Similarly, changes in blood biochemistry during pregnancy may create difficulties in interpretation of results. Conversely, clinicians also need to recognise pathological deviations in these normal anatomical and physiological changes during pregnancy to institute appropriate action to improve maternal and fetal outcome"-- Provided by publisher.