Question

A woman's pregnancy has been uneventful, and she has gained 25 lb (11.3 kg). at term her hemoglobin level is 10.6 g/dl (106 mmol/l) and her hematocrit is 31%. what is the physiologic reason for these hemoglobin and hematocrit levels?

Answer 1

The answer would be hemodilution.

A woman in pregnancy will produce more blood volume which will result in lowered hematocrit and hemoglobin levels as it was diluted. This will cause relative anemia. The aim of this changes is to prepare for the bleeding at labor. More blood volume will reduce the risk of shock hypovolemic at labor.