North American Registry of Midwives (NARM) Practice Exam

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What happens to the heart's position during a normal pregnancy?

It remains in its original position
It is displaced to the right
It is displaced to the left
It becomes enlarged

The correct answer is: It is displaced to the left

During a normal pregnancy, the heart's position is typically displaced to the left. This displacement occurs due to the expanding uterus, which starts to take up more space in the abdominal cavity as the pregnancy progresses. As the uterus grows, it pushes the diaphragm upwards and can also shift the heart slightly to the left. This anatomical change does not only occur from uterus expansion; increased blood volume and hormonal changes can also contribute to a modified heart position. Understanding this shift is essential for health care providers, as it can impact auscultation techniques and interpretation of cardiac sounds during pregnancy.