Question

A woman's body gains a lot of water during pregnancy due to all of the following EXCEPT:

Option 1: Increased blood volume
Option 2: Amniotic fluid
Option 3: Decreased fluid retention in tissues
Option 4: Expansion of maternal body cells

Answer 1

Option 3: Decreased fluid retention in tissues is the correct answer as it does not contribute to an increase in water retention in a woman's body during pregnancy.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question is asking which of the provided options is NOT a reason for the increased water retention in a woman's body during pregnancy. To answer the question:

• Increased blood volume: During pregnancy, maternal blood volume increases by approximately 30%, which contributes to the woman's overall water gain.
• Amniotic fluid: The volume of amniotic fluid increases as the pregnancy progresses, reaching about 800 ml at 34 weeks of gestational age, hence it is a contributor to water gain during pregnancy.
• Decreased fluid retention in tissues: Decreased fluid retention in tissues would lead to less water being held in the body, which is contrary to what happens during pregnancy. Therefore, this is the correct answer as it is not a cause of increased water retention.
• Expansion of maternal body cells: The expansion of body cells during pregnancy can contribute to an increase in water content in a woman's body.

So, the answer to the student's question is Option 3: Decreased fluid retention in tissues. This option does not lead to an increase in water retention during pregnancy.