Determine the Functions of Organ during pregnancy?
Dramatic changes occur in renal functions to eliminate the nitrogenous and other waste products of maternal and foetal metabolism. Effective renal plasma flow, (volume of plasma filtered by the renal tubules), increases by 75%. This is one of the earliest physiological adjustments in pregnancy. The glomerular filtration rate increases by 50% in early pregnancy. These changes in renal functions while helping to clear waste products on one hand are also associated with increased excretion of glucose and amino acids but unrelated to the plasma levels of these constituents.
In addition, the head and the lungs respond suitably to the increased blood flow to the placenta and to the increased demand for oxygen to the foetus. The intestinal absorption of all nutrients is, enhanced to take care of the increased requirements. The amount absorbed depends on the amount ingested, maternal stores and progressively increasing requirements of the foetus.