Course overview
The aim of this course is to develop an understanding of normal physiological changes in pregnancy and their relationship to the pathophysiology of complications for women and neonates. Physiological adaptations of the cardiovascular, respiratory, immune and renal systems during pregnancy; fetal growth and development, common fetal problems and congenital abnormalities; the endocrinology associated with altered carbohydrate handling, thyroid hormone metabolism, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal renal function and the immune response in pregnancy; the pathophysiology of pregnancy complications including hypertensive, haematological, haemorrhagic and metabolic disorders; physiology and pathophysiology of labour and the puerperium, physiological adaptations of the newborn.
Course learning outcomes
- Explain how the physiological adaptations that occur in the cardiovascular, respiratory, immune and renal systems during pregnancy increase the risk of pregnancy complications.
- Relate endocrine system changes in pregnancy to altered use of nutrients, metabolism, stress responsiveness and immunity.
- Identify pathophysiological conditions that arise during pregnancy and across the childbirth continuum and their underlying physiological mechanisms.
- Describe the maternal physiological changes that are associated with labour and birth.
- Describe the primary physiological adaptations that the neonate undergoes at birth.
- Apply knowledge of the pathophysiology of pregnancy and the childbirth continuum to case studies.