Studies on the peripheral circulation during pregnancy

Abstract

The resting fore-arm blood flow rates were measured at four weekly intervals throughout pregnancy and at increasing intervals up to 40 weeks after delivery. Twenty-six subjects were normotensive as defined on page 5 , twenty-four subjects were included in the hypertension I group and thirty-six subjects were included in the hypertension II group. Control groups of twenty-two normotensive and ten hypertensive non-pregnant subjects were also studied. The resting hand blood flow rates were measured in the same intervals during and after pregnancy in three normotensive subjects, six subjects in the hypertension I group and nine subjects in the hypertension II group. The non-pregnant control group consisted of nine subjects who were normotensive and six subjects w'ho were hypertensive. At the same time, measurements were made of blood volume by means of Evans Blue Dye and the haemoglobin, red cell count and packed cell volume estimated. Assessment of hormonal function was made in all subjects by measurement of the cornification index and in 34 subjects by pregnanediol excretion.