How is absorption defined during pregnancy?

During pregnancy, the definition of absorption is characterized by slow peristalsis and gastric emptying. This physiological change occurs as a result of hormonal fluctuations, particularly increased levels of progesterone. Progesterone relaxes smooth muscles, including those in the gastrointestinal tract, leading to a decrease in motility. As a consequence, food moves more slowly through the digestive system, which provides a longer duration for nutrient absorption. This is essential during pregnancy to ensure that both the mother and developing fetus receive the necessary nutrients from the diet.

The other possibilities do not accurately describe the process during pregnancy. For instance, rapid gastric emptying or increased gastrointestinal motility would contradict the observed slowing down of digestive processes. Maintaining a normal absorption rate suggests that there are no changes in the digestion process, which is not the case as absorption dynamics are altered to accommodate the needs of pregnancy.