Obstetrics and Gynecology - A.M. Gromova 2000

Changes in a woman's body during pregnancy
Changes in the digestive system of a pregnant woman

The increase in metabolic activity during Pregnancy demands a higher food intake, leading to specific functional Changes in the Digestive System. Pregnant women often experience an increased appetite accompanied by dulled taste perception and reduced salivary gland secretion. Gastrointestinal motility slows down, which is attributed to a decrease in Muscle tone caused by Autonomic Nervous system influences and the displacement of Organs by the growing Uterus. Gastric juice acidity and Pepsin content both decrease. Conversely, the processes of membrane Digestion AND ABSORPTION in the Small Intestine become more active, whereas the reabsorption of Water and electrolytes in the Large Intestine slows down.

In the Liver, the synthesis of fats, CARBOHYDRATES, and Proteins is enhanced, particularly alpha and beta globulins. Its detoxification capacity is somewhat restricted. During the final weeks of pregnancy, the liver is displaced upward and to the right, and increases slightly in size. Dilation of the Bile ducts is observed. Bile volume increases along with a rise in its Cholesterol concentration, which accounts for the heightened predisposition to gallstone formation during pregnancy.