Pregnancy, total body fluid

In pregnancy, the total body fluid increases by 8 liters, of which 80% is extracellular water. The plasma volume increases by 40 to 50% (1.2 to 1.5 liters). Consequently, in pregnancy there is an increase in plasma volume, decrease in plasma protein levels, increase in total and extracellular water compartments, and increase in total body fat. These alterations may change the volume of distribution of most drugs. 

The total volume of the fluid compartments of the body into which drugs may be distributed is approximately 40 L in a 70-kg adult. These compartments include plasma water (approximately 10 L), interstitial fluid (10 L), and the intracellular fluid (20 L). Total extracellular water is the sum of the plasma and the interstitial water. Factors such as sex, age, edema, pregnancy, and body fat can influence the volume of these various compartments. 

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