What major respiratory adjustment is necessary for pregnant women?

During pregnancy, a woman's body undergoes various physiological changes to support both the mother and the developing fetus. One of the major respiratory adjustments is the increase in tidal volume, which is the amount of air inhaled and exhaled during normal breathing.

As the uterus expands, it can push up against the diaphragm, leading to a reduction in the functional residual capacity of the lungs. To compensate for this limitation and ensure adequate oxygen delivery to both the mother and the fetus, respiratory adjustments are necessary.

Increased tidal volume facilitates the adequate uptake of oxygen while also maintaining carbon dioxide levels. This is critical because the metabolic demands increase during pregnancy, and the body requires more oxygen to meet these needs. Therefore, the correct answer reflects this physiological adaptation, highlighting the importance of increased tidal volume in pregnant women.