What heart sounds are typically heard in a pregnant woman at a clinic visit?

In a pregnant woman, it is common to hear S1, S3, and possibly benign heart murmurs during a clinic visit. The S1 sound corresponds to the closure of the mitral and tricuspid valves, while S2 relates to the closure of the aortic and pulmonary valves; these two sounds are typically heard in everyone, including pregnant women.

S3, often referred to as a "physiological S3," can occur during pregnancy due to the increased blood volume and cardiac output, which can create additional turbulence as blood flows into the ventricles. This sound is particularly common in pregnant individuals because of the cardiovascular changes that take place as the body adapts to support fetal growth.

Additionally, murmurs may develop, often due to increased blood flow and changes in blood viscosity, which are not usually indicative of underlying heart disease in pregnant women. Thus, the presence of S3 along with potential murmurs is characteristic during pregnancy, making this the most accurate response regarding the heart sounds typically heard in this population.