Flow diagram summarising the most important effects of biochemical (left) and mechanical (right) pregnancy-induced factors on pulmonary function, ventilatory pattern and gas exchange. Flow diagram summarising the most important effects of biochemical (left) and mechanical (right) pregnancy-induced factors on pulmonary function, ventilatory pattern and gas exchange. PO2: oxygen tension; PCO2: carbon dioxide tension; FRC: functional residual capacity; ERV: expiratory reserve volume; TLC: total lung capacity; IC: inspiratory capacity; VC: vital capacity; ↑: increased; ↓: decreased; ≈: no change. Antonella LoMauro, and Andrea Aliverti Breathe 2015;11:297-301 ©2015 by European Respiratory Society