Which of the following normal physiological changes during pregnancy is associated with increased progesterone production?

Increased progesterone production during pregnancy has notable physiological effects, one of which is urinary stasis in the kidneys. Progesterone plays a critical role in relaxing smooth muscles within the body, including those in the urinary tract. This relaxation can lead to decreased muscle tone in the ureters and bladder, causing urinary stasis. The slowed movement of urine can increase the risk of urinary tract infections, which is particularly important for healthcare providers to monitor during pregnancy.

The other physiological changes related to pregnancy, while influenced by hormones, do not primarily stem from the direct effects of increased progesterone. For instance, maintaining the corpus luteum is critical in the early stages of pregnancy primarily due to human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) produced by the developing placenta, not directly by progesterone levels during that early phase. Increased gastrointestinal motility and emptying typically slows down due to progesterone's relaxing effects on smooth muscle, leading to potential issues such as constipation, but is not synonymous with increased motility. Uterine and cervical hypotrophy, while progesterone does support various changes in the uterus, typically refers to relaxation rather than an increase in size or a direct effect that would classify it as a straightforward consequence of increased progesterone production alone.