Alterations in body fluid compartments and exchangeable sodium in the early puerperium

The Rapid Intravenous Glucose Tolerance Test in Pregnancy*

“…While the increased insulin effect indicated by k may have resulted from a greater release of insulin, other factors are involved. Growth and redistribution of body fluids occur as pregnancy progresses (50)(51)(52). Glucose crosses the placenta (53) and is utilized by the fetus (54).…”

“…Glucose crosses the placenta (53) and is utilized by the fetus (54). Chesley, Valenti and Uichanco estimated the total water gain of pregnancy as 6.3 L and the average gain in extracellular fluid (sucrose space) as 3.95 L, with 2.65 L as the maternal fraction (50). The increment of extracellular fluid was taken as 3.8 L by Seitchik and Alper (55), with 2.5 L for the maternal fraction.…”

Renal Function in Relation to Salt and Water Regulation in Normal and Toxemic Pregnancy

“…of sodium in the first 10 days after delivery, in 3 women. Chesley, Valenti and Uichanco (1959) found an average loss of 189 mEq. as m easured by the tracer m ethod and 148 mEq.…”

“…Chcslcij and Boo(j (1943) found an average loss of 2.3 liters from the thio cyanate space during the first 6 days of the puerperium and an additional loss of 1.6 liters over the next 5 weeks. Chesley, Valenti and Uichanco (1959) reported a loss of 2.1 liters from the sucrose space during the first week of the puerperium .…”

“…This am ount can be accounted for in the fetus, placenta and am niotic fluid and in the expanded plasm a volume, with none left over for an increased interstitial fluid volume. Chesley, Valenti and Uichanco (1959) m easured exchangeable sodium in 12 non pregnant women and in 20 norm al women into whom the isotope was injected within an hour after delivery. On the average, the exchangeable sodium was only 100 mEq.…”