Stomach and intestines are displaced upwards
Progesterone relaxes smooth muscles and inhibits the contractile response of the GIT to acetylcholine and gastrin
LOS becomes incompetent due to
Gastric motility is reduced
Delayed gastric emptying at 12-14 weeks of gestation
Further gastric emptying delay during labour due to pain and anxiety
Gastrin production increases progressively throughout pregnancy
* Produced by the placenta
Gastric acid production increased during the 3rd trimester
Reduced plasma concentration of motilin
--> Reduced motility of small and large intestines
Reduced release of CCK (due to progesterone)
--> Reduced contractility of the gallbladder
Histological changes in liver
* Mild fatty changes
* Mild glycogen depletion
* Lymphocytic infiltration
Increase in serum alkaline phosphatase and serum cholesterol