Third Trimester: Respiratory Pathophysiology of Pregnancy

Abstract

The third trimester of pregnancy is a time of dramatic physiological changes in the maternal body that are designed to accommodate the growing fetus. But these adaptations can also make them more susceptible to a range of pre-existing and pregnancy-related respiratory diseases. A strong knowledge of the pathophysiology behind each of these respiratory diseases is the key to optimal management of the patients and improvement in maternal and fetal outcomes.