Physiologic changes in pregnancy: surgical implications.

Pregnancy has measurable effects on essentially every organ system in a woman's body. An understanding of these changes is vital for determining what is normal or abnormal in a pregnant woman. These changes frequently alter symptoms and signs of surgical diseases during pregnancy. In addition, many surgical diseases, as well as their therapies, have multisystemic effects. It therefore is mandatory to appreciate the physiologic changes that occur in a normal pregnancy to avoid incorrect diagnoses and treatment. These physiologic changes are complex and not always well understood. This article will review these changes, concentrating on an organ-system format, with particular emphasis on manifestations that might be confuses with surgical diseases or that have implication for treatment.