Claire presents to your clinic with complaints of fatigue, shortness of breath, and low motivation to do things due to her exhaustion. She is G2P1 in her third trimester of pregnancy at 29/40. Her firstborn is now three years old and the pregnancy was uncomplicated. Claire has recently moved to the suburb your clinic is located in and is hoping to discuss her antenatal care options.
What history would you take from Claire?
It is important to explore the symptoms in more detail.Specific questions should ask about associated symptoms, including restless legs or muscle cramps.
The timing of symptom onset and precipitating factors should be investigated to exclude venous thromboembolism, which can present either acutely (sudden onset shortness of breath and pleuritic chest pain) or can be more insidious in onset over several weeks.
Clinical history should be reported, including any history of gestational diabetes, family history of diabetes, history of hypothyroidism, iron deficiency and anaemia.
