PN 3003 MATERNITY AND PEDIATRICS FINAL
2026 REVIEW PAPER COMPLETE QUESTIONS
WITH EXPERT SOLUTIONS AND MARKING
SCHEME
◉ What are probable signs of pregnancy at 4-12 weeks?
Answer: Presence of hCG in blood.
◉ What is a positive sign of pregnancy at 6+ weeks?
Answer: Visually seeing the fetus by ultrasound.
◉ What hormone levels increase during pregnancy?
Answer: Prolactin levels increase.
◉ What happens to FSH/LH levels during pregnancy?
Answer: They fall to low levels due to high levels of estrogen and
progesterone.
◉ What is gestational diabetes?
Answer: A condition where the pancreas cannot make enough
insulin to keep blood sugar levels within a target range during
pregnancy.
,◉ What cardiovascular changes occur during pregnancy?
Answer: Increased cardiac output and peripheral vasodilation.
◉ What respiratory changes occur during pregnancy?
Answer: Increased tidal volume and oxygen consumption.
◉ What are common gastrointestinal changes during pregnancy?
Answer: Nausea and vomiting (N&V), increased appetite, heartburn,
and constipation.
◉ What urinary tract changes occur during pregnancy?
Answer: Increased renal blood flow, glycosuria, and increased risk
for UTI.
◉ What haematological changes occur during pregnancy?
Answer: Increased plasma volume, red blood cells, and clotting
factors.
◉ What skin changes are common during pregnancy?
Answer: Hyperpigmentation, spider naevi, and striae gravidarum
(stretch marks).
,◉ What musculoskeletal changes occur during pregnancy?
Answer: Increased ligamental laxity and exaggerated lumbar
lordosis.
◉ How does the uterus change during pregnancy?
Answer: Increases to about five times its normal size by full term.
◉ What happens to the cervix during pregnancy?
Answer: It remains 2.5 cm long but softens in late pregnancy.
◉ What changes occur in the vagina during pregnancy?
Answer: It becomes more elastic to allow for dilation during labor.
◉ What is the recommended weight gain during pregnancy for
normal BMI?
Answer: 11.5 to 16 kg.
◉ What is the role of progesterone during pregnancy?
Answer: Primarily responsible for maintaining the uterine
environment.
◉ What is the significance of increased insulin resistance during
pregnancy?
, Answer: It promotes the use of fat for energy, preserving glucose for
the fetus.
◉ What is a common complaint regarding respiratory function in
pregnancy?
Answer: Many people feel short of breath without hypoxia or
pathology.
◉ What is the effect of increased cortisol levels during pregnancy?
Answer: It contributes to various metabolic changes.
◉ What are Braxton Hicks contractions?
Answer: Painless contractions that occur during pregnancy, typically
felt around 16 weeks.
◉ What is the role of thyroid hormones during pregnancy?
Answer: T4 and T3 alterations occur, and TSH production is
stimulated after the first trimester.
◉ What is the impact of increased metabolic rate during pregnancy?
Answer: It leads to increased oxygen demand.
◉ What is the typical gait of late pregnancy attributed to?
2026 REVIEW PAPER COMPLETE QUESTIONS
WITH EXPERT SOLUTIONS AND MARKING
SCHEME
◉ What are probable signs of pregnancy at 4-12 weeks?
Answer: Presence of hCG in blood.
◉ What is a positive sign of pregnancy at 6+ weeks?
Answer: Visually seeing the fetus by ultrasound.
◉ What hormone levels increase during pregnancy?
Answer: Prolactin levels increase.
◉ What happens to FSH/LH levels during pregnancy?
Answer: They fall to low levels due to high levels of estrogen and
progesterone.
◉ What is gestational diabetes?
Answer: A condition where the pancreas cannot make enough
insulin to keep blood sugar levels within a target range during
pregnancy.
,◉ What cardiovascular changes occur during pregnancy?
Answer: Increased cardiac output and peripheral vasodilation.
◉ What respiratory changes occur during pregnancy?
Answer: Increased tidal volume and oxygen consumption.
◉ What are common gastrointestinal changes during pregnancy?
Answer: Nausea and vomiting (N&V), increased appetite, heartburn,
and constipation.
◉ What urinary tract changes occur during pregnancy?
Answer: Increased renal blood flow, glycosuria, and increased risk
for UTI.
◉ What haematological changes occur during pregnancy?
Answer: Increased plasma volume, red blood cells, and clotting
factors.
◉ What skin changes are common during pregnancy?
Answer: Hyperpigmentation, spider naevi, and striae gravidarum
(stretch marks).
,◉ What musculoskeletal changes occur during pregnancy?
Answer: Increased ligamental laxity and exaggerated lumbar
lordosis.
◉ How does the uterus change during pregnancy?
Answer: Increases to about five times its normal size by full term.
◉ What happens to the cervix during pregnancy?
Answer: It remains 2.5 cm long but softens in late pregnancy.
◉ What changes occur in the vagina during pregnancy?
Answer: It becomes more elastic to allow for dilation during labor.
◉ What is the recommended weight gain during pregnancy for
normal BMI?
Answer: 11.5 to 16 kg.
◉ What is the role of progesterone during pregnancy?
Answer: Primarily responsible for maintaining the uterine
environment.
◉ What is the significance of increased insulin resistance during
pregnancy?
, Answer: It promotes the use of fat for energy, preserving glucose for
the fetus.
◉ What is a common complaint regarding respiratory function in
pregnancy?
Answer: Many people feel short of breath without hypoxia or
pathology.
◉ What is the effect of increased cortisol levels during pregnancy?
Answer: It contributes to various metabolic changes.
◉ What are Braxton Hicks contractions?
Answer: Painless contractions that occur during pregnancy, typically
felt around 16 weeks.
◉ What is the role of thyroid hormones during pregnancy?
Answer: T4 and T3 alterations occur, and TSH production is
stimulated after the first trimester.
◉ What is the impact of increased metabolic rate during pregnancy?
Answer: It leads to increased oxygen demand.
◉ What is the typical gait of late pregnancy attributed to?
