Overview
Introduction
Pregnancy changes gastrointestinal function through hormonal smooth muscle relaxation, mechanical pressure from the enlarging uterus, and pregnancy specific nausea signaling.
Pregnancy changes gastrointestinal function through hormonal smooth-muscle relaxation, mechanical pressure from the enlarging uterus, and pregnancy-specific nausea signaling. Heartburn, constipation, gingival bleeding, and early nausea are common physiologic effects. They are not automatically benign, however. The nurse distinguishes expected discomfort from illness by checking when symptoms began, whether the patient can maintain hydration and nutrition, and whether pain, fever, jaundice, neurologic change, or hypertensive symptoms are present. That pattern-based assessment protects the mother while identifying conditions such as hyperemesis gravidarum, intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy, appendicitis, and preeclampsia-related liver disease.