You teach a prepartum exercise class twice a week. One member, who is 20 weeks pregnant, pulls you aside and shares her concern about a 15 bpm increase in her resting heart rate. That change in resting heart rate is LEAST likely due to:
A)An elevation in progesterone and estrogen levels in the blood stream
B)A newly expanded blood volume
C)An elevation in follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) levels in the blood stream
D)An increase in the oxygen cost of weight bearing

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

During pregnancy, a woman's resting heart rate will elevate as much as 15-20 bpm above her baseline. This is because even in a normal, uncomplicated pregnancy, the body must make adjustments to compensate for a large increase in blood volume (often 40-90% above baseline) and an increase in the cost of bearing weight (because of the sudden increase in body weight). Additionally, rapid alterations in hormone levels, including a dramatic increase in progesterone and estrogen, can increase resting heart rate. Elevated levels of FSH in the blood stream do not affect the resting heart rate.

You Teach a Prepartum Exercise Class Twice a Week