Normal Pregnancy: Physiology and Management

Pregnancy is a peculiar physiological state in which many changes take place to help adaptation of the woman's body to pregnancy. Understanding these changes is essential for discrimination between normal pregnancy symptoms and pathological conditions, and for understanding the effect of pregnancy on preexisting diseases. Although pregnancy is considered a normal physiological event, yet it may be complicated by a disease or a disorder that affects the health or endangers the life of the mother or the fetus. Antenatal care is a program of preventive obstetrics, with a main objective to ensure a safe motherhood, culminating in a safe delivery of a healthy fetus. This book provides a comprehensive review of normal pregnancy, emphasizing its physiology and management, which will be of immense value for obstetricians and allied health professionals. By developing a clear understanding of what is normal, you will better understand abnormalities affecting pregnancy and the rationale behind treatment.