Pregnancy 4: effects on the digestive, lymphatic and immune systems

Pregnancy significantly alters the physiology of the maternal gastrointestinal tract, increasing risk of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. Nausea and vomiting is common and, when severe, is known as hyperemesis gravidarum. Progesterone increases transit times in the colon, increasing the risk of constipation, which is a risk factor for haemorrhoids. Maternal specific and non-specific immune responses need to balance protecting the mother from infection and preventing foetal rejection.

This article has been double-blind peer reviewed

In this article…

• How pregnancy increases the chance of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease

• Why there is increased risk of constipation and haemorrhoids during pregnancy

• What enables maternal immune tolerance of the foetus during pregnancy

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