What increased risk do pregnant women face compared to nonpregnant women?

Prepare for the JBL Obstetrics and Pediatrics Test with flashcards and multiple choice questions, all complete with hints and explanations to help you succeed. Get ready to ace your exam!

Pregnant women face an increased risk of joint dislocations primarily due to the hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy. Specifically, the hormone relaxin is released, which helps to loosen the ligaments and joints in preparation for childbirth. This increased laxity can make joints more susceptible to dislocation, particularly in areas where body weight is shifting, and extra strain is placed on the joints due to the growing abdomen.

In contrast, while other conditions like type 1 diabetes, pathologic fractures, and congestive heart failure are serious health concerns, they do not inherently have an increased risk associated with pregnancy in the same direct manner that joint instability does. Type 1 diabetes is a pre-existing condition rather than one that is specifically exacerbated by pregnancy itself. Similarly, pathologic fractures can occur due to osteoporosis or other underlying conditions but are not specifically linked to the physiological changes of pregnancy. Congestive heart failure can occur during pregnancy due to underlying cardiac conditions but is not a risk that increases specifically because a woman is pregnant.

Thus, the increased risk of joint dislocations in pregnant women highlights the physical changes and adjustments their bodies undergo, making this the correct answer to the question.

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