What happens to reserve volume during pregnancy?

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During pregnancy, the reserve volume, which refers to the additional volume of air that can be forcibly exhaled after a normal exhalation, actually tends to decrease. This decrease is primarily due to the physiological changes that occur in the respiratory system during pregnancy.

As the uterus expands to accommodate the growing fetus, it exerts pressure on the diaphragm and the thoracic cavity, leading to a reduction in the available space for lung expansion. This compression can result in a decreased reserve volume since the lungs are less able to accommodate additional air beyond what is regularly inhaled and exhaled.

Additionally, hormonal changes and increased metabolic demands during pregnancy can further influence respiratory mechanics and volume measurements, contributing to this decreased reserve volume. It's important to recognize these physiological adaptations as part of the breadth and depth of understanding respiratory function and changes during pregnancy.

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