Physiological changes during pregnancy in reproductive system

Physiological changes that takes place in mother's body during pregnancy are associated with and caused by the effect of specific hormones.

Normal uterus measurement -: length 8 cm, width 5 cm, thickness 1.25 cm, weight 60 grams

                              At term -: length 35 cm, width 23 cm, thickness 20 cm, weight 1000 grams

Changes in the reproductive system- 

The changes in the pregnancy that takes place in the reproductive system are a temporary adaptation to meet the need and demands of the fetus.

1. Uterus - 

Their is enormous growth of the uterus during pregnancy. The uterus which is non pregnant state weight about 50 gm and measures about 8 cm in length, at term weight 900-1000 gm and measures 35 x 23 x 20 cm. Changes occur in all the part of uterus - body, isthmus and cervix.

• Body of uterus - Their is increase in growth and enlargement of the body of uterus. Hypertrophy and hyperplasia occur in the uterus under the influence of estrogen and progesterone hormone.  
• Isthmus - There is important structural and functional changes in the isthmus during pregnancy. During first trimester, isthmus hypertrophies and elongates about 3 times its original length. It becomes softer.
• Cervix - The cervix remains tightly closed during pregnancy providing protection to the fetus and resistance to pressure from when the woman is in standing position. The cervical plug called operculum, which provides protection from ascending infection.

2. Fallopian tube - 

• The fallopian tube on either side are more stretched but in pregnancy, it is much vascular.
• The uterine end of the tube is usually closed and fimbriated ends remains open.

3. Vagina - 

• Estrogen causes changes in the muscular layer and epithelium of the vagina. The muscles layer hypertrophy and capacity of vagina increases. These changes enable the vagina to dilate during second stage of labour. 
• The vagina becomes more vascular and appears violet in color probably due to increased blood supply.

4. Breast - 

• Increase size of breast becomes evident even in early weeks. This is due to marked hypertrophy and proliferation of ducts and alveoli. Vascularity is increased which results in appearance of bluish vein which running under skin. 
• The nipples become larger, erectile and deeply pigmented. About 5th month, a less pigmented area forms around the primary areola witch is known as secondary areola.

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