Which statement describes a common respiratory rate change in pregnancy?

• A. Slower rate
• B. Irregular
• C. No change
• D. Faster rate

Answer: (D)

During pregnancy, the respiratory system is driven to meet higher metabolic demands, and hormones like progesterone increase the baseline drive to breathe. This tends to boost ventilation to remove more CO2 and bring in more O2, so a faster respiratory rate is a common and expected change. The body may also deepen breaths, but the overall pattern students are typically taught is an increase in rate to help meet the increased demands.

A slower rate or no change would not fit the typical adaptive response, and irregular breathing isn’t the standard description of pregnancy-related ventilation.