CASE REVIEW UPPER RESPIRATORY TRACT INFECTIONS IN PREGNANCY

In order to understand the respiratory illnesses associated with pregnancy it is important to be aware of the physiological changes that occurs in pregnancy. Firstly, the increase of estrogen and progesterone during pregnancy is associated with an increase in airway hypersecretion, increased mucosal friability and oedema and also capillary congestion thus meaning a pregnant woman is more susceptible to respiratory infections.
The ever enlarging uterus and affects the respiratory system anatomically and causes the diaphragm to move cephalad (superiorly) but the diaphragmatic function is maintained. In
order to accommodate to this change and adequately meet both the maternal and fetal demands, the circumference of the rib cage increases.