ABSTRACT
Pregnancy induces significant changes in normal pulmonary physiology while also causing increased susceptibility to the effects of certain respiratory diseases. Obstructive and restrictive lung diseases, pulmonary vascular disease, pulmonary infections, respiratory failure, and other topics will be reviewed in the context of pregnancy. In addition, the challenge of distinguishing between the normal physiologic dyspnea of pregnancy and an underlying pulmonary or cardiac disease will be discussed. The increasing levels of progesterone throughout the course of gestation as well as the changes in lung function are thought to be the main mechanisms responsible for the physiologic dyspnea of pregnancy. Distinguishing between the physiologic dyspnea of pregnancy and the presence of underlying cardiac or pulmonary disease can be a diagnostic challenge. The peak flowmeter is a particularly helpful objective assessment of pulmonary function in distinguishing between the normal dyspnea of pregnancy and worsening of asthma symptoms.
