If there were complications of pregnancy
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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Pregnancy and childbirth is a long process, most of which are not associated with health problems, and for the spouses these 9 months of waiting are filled with joy and happiness. Usually pregnancy develops without complications, and the changes that occur until the body of a future mother increases and adapts to new conditions do not affect health, and a healthy boy or girl is born. But in some cases complications that affect both spouses may occur.
Perhaps the spouses will not want to read this chapter until the man and his wife are faced with problems. If a man does not want to read this chapter, then the necessary information will simply be at hand. It is designed to provide knowledge, through which you can discuss the problem and ways to solve it with your doctor.
If a man helps his wife to cope with one of such complications, it will bring them closer. A man is a very important participant in pregnancy, and his support can be the key to the birth of a healthy child. If there is a complication, the man will understand how important it is for the spouse and the growing child. Helping a spouse can be part of the pregnancy. If one of the described complications occurs in a woman, a man should support her and be positive.
Some of the complications, for example, diabetes of pregnant women or hypertension of pregnant women, are not so rare. They can cause the future mother quite a strong inconvenience.
If the spouses have questions, they should not be afraid to ask for help. You can call a doctor or go to a prenatal consultation to discuss them. Despite the fact that the couple can believe that it's easier to ask questions to relatives or friends, do not rely on their medical advice. The family doctor probably faced such situations many times. Another good source of information is a nurse or a doctor's assistant. Most often they have more time to talk with their spouses.
Do I need to call a doctor?
A man and his wife may not know what can cause serious complications of pregnancy and in what cases it is important to call a doctor.
If a woman has any of the symptoms described below, the doctor should be called immediately. The main signs of danger are described below:
- vaginal bleeding
- severe swelling of the face or fingers
- severe abdominal pain
- regular uterine contractions
- loss of fluid from the vagina (usually a stream of fluid, but sometimes it flows weakly or feels like a constant moistening)
- a woman experiences severe changes in the movements of the child or a lack of movement
- high temperature (above 38.7 ° C)
- chills
- severe vomiting or inability to swallow food or liquid
- blurred vision
- painful urination
- prolonged or severe headache
- damage or an accident that harmed a woman or gave one of the spouses a reason for doubting the child's condition, such as a fall or car accident.
Whenever one of the spouses has any questions about the state of health of the expectant mother, they should call the clinic! It will not be bothering doctors - they answer such questions every day. Spouses are patients, and it is easier for doctors to answer each of their questions than to get a future mother with serious complications of pregnancy, because she did not call the clinic because she did not want to disturb doctors. There may be situations where a woman will ask a man to call a doctor for her. This is normal. This is one way to support it.
If a man calls a polyclinic, he should be prepared for the nurse or doctor to be asked to talk directly with the woman. When a doctor asks questions directly to a woman, and not through a man who then sends answers, he will be able to achieve better communication and easier to answer questions. A man can be useful by calling and asking someone to help him. It's also normal if both spouses are on the phone.
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If the news is bad
When there is a complication of pregnancy, there is always the possibility that the outcome will be unexpected, the problem is more complicated than thought, or the spouses' hopes for the unborn child are broken. If the spouses encounter this situation, coping with it will be more difficult than they thought. Nobody imagined that this would happen to them.
The best advice that we can give, if it happened, is to try to deal with it together. At this time you need to contact each other for support. There was this loss of the child or loss of hopes for the child, you should give yourself time to mourn it. Impressions associated with pregnancy may be too strong for both spouses. This is the time to take care of your wife and yourself.
You can ask other family members (if the spouses want it) of their help and support. If necessary, you can find support from outside, for example, a psychologist, a rabbi or a priest, so that he helps to get through this. Friends and relatives often want to help, but it can be unpleasant for spouses. You should let them know about this.
A man will help if he answers the phone and checks the answering machine. Spouses can also restrict visits to the house if a woman asks for it or if they both feel that they do not want to communicate with people. In this difficult time, one should take care of the wife.
Families may need help if they already have other children. This will give the man the opportunity to spend more time with his wife.
Many married couples say that some of the most precious memories of pregnancy are related to the changes they have made in their lives. Most of these changes remained part of their lives even after the birth of the child.
Complications of pregnancy
In this section, we discuss various problems that may arise. That the doctor has coped with a problem, he needs to know about it. That's why it is important for a woman to have a checkup at each prenatal consultation. So you can monitor the development of pregnancy and any complications, if it occurs.
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Bleeding during pregnancy
Bleeding during pregnancy is not always a sign of complication. It is necessary to tell the doctor about any bleeding; most likely he will send a woman to an ultrasound. Ultrasound does not stop the bleeding, but will give confidence. Hemorrhages during early pregnancy are observed in about 20% of women. The mild bleeding ("spots") that occurs in women after strong physical activity or after mating is not unusual.
Bleeding in the late stages of pregnancy causes anxiety, so you should immediately call a doctor. Perhaps the problem is not too serious, but you need to make sure of this.
SUPPORT OF A SPOUSE. A woman can be recommended for bed rest, but there is no surgery or medicine that can stop bleeding. The doctor will prescribe medicines, focusing on the history of pregnancy. A joint visit to a prenatal consultation and discussion of the problem will be helpful. A woman can ask a man to call a doctor or go along with her to the next consultation. If bleeding occurs after mating, she can ask a man to be present so that they can discuss this with the doctor.
Ectopic pregnancy
Ectopic pregnancy is a rare occurrence, occurring approximately 1 time per 100 pregnancies. This occurs when a fertilized egg is implanted not in the uterus, but usually in the fallopian tube. One of the main signs of ectopic pregnancy is pain; if the pain is severe and causes concern for a man or his wife, you should call a doctor.
The diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy is complex and may require the passage of several tests and time. Tests include ultrasound and laparoscopy (microsurgery). Perhaps the answer will have to wait days or even weeks.
SUPPORT OF A SPOUSE. Ectopic pregnancy does not allow reporting the child a full term. Pregnancy can not be transferred from the tube to the uterus. Usually an operation is performed to solve this problem. In some cases, a drug called methotrexate is used. It is not available everywhere, and it can not be used for pipe damage.
In the case of an ectopic pregnancy, pregnancy is lost. Most likely, both spouses will be saddened if this happens to them. They should try to survive this problem together.
In addition, ectopic pregnancy often requires surgical intervention. A woman will most likely need help and support from a man during recovery. She lost her pregnancy and underwent surgery. Physical and moral support from the man during this difficult time will be necessary for her.
If a woman falls
Falling is the most common cause of minor injuries during pregnancy. Fortunately, falling usually does not do much harm to the fetus or the mother. The movements of the child after the fall are proof of this. Vaginal bleeding or severe abdominal pain after falling can indicate a problem; the flow of fluid from the vagina indicates the rupture of the membranes.
If a woman falls, you should contact the doctor: a future mother may need to be monitored or examined. If she fell very unsuccessfully, the doctor can refer her to a child's heartbeat or ultrasound examination to make sure that the baby is not injured.
SUPPORT OF A SPOUSE. The fall can be painful and frightening for a pregnant woman. She will be worried if the child has been harmed or if all is well with her. In this situation, the confidence and support of a man is very important. You should check the house to see if it is possible to somehow prevent falls. If a woman does household chores, this increases the risk of falling.
Diabetes of pregnant women
Some women have diabetes that occurs only during pregnancy; it is called the diabetes of pregnant women. The condition occurs when the usual hormonal changes associated with pregnancy, combined with a diet, lead to high blood sugar levels. This can lead to the birth of a larger child, complicate pregnancy and lead to the fact that the child will have pathologies, for example, the heart.
Diabetes of pregnant women occurs in about 10% of pregnancies. After giving birth, almost all women who had a diabetes of pregnant women return to normal.
If the doctor finds an abnormal sugar level in the woman's urine during routine procedures (this is one of the reasons why the mother's urine is taken for analysis on each prenatal consultation), other tests will be done. Diabetes of pregnant women is diagnosed with special blood tests.
WOMAN SUPPORT. One of the best ways to cope with diabetes of pregnant women is proper nutrition. It is necessary to limit the amount of food taken at any time, and the nutritionist will help to plan 3 main meals and 3 snacks. If a woman eats incorrectly or if at one time she takes too much, this can increase blood sugar.
Spouses continue to eat together, but the portions of a woman become smaller, and she may eat earlier or later than usual.
A man should help his wife to choose food useful to her (and for him!). It is necessary to avoid the use of sugar and sweets, and use of fats to reduce to a minimum. Do not use artificial sweeteners. In every meal, a woman should consume dairy products, proteins, fruits, vegetables, cereals and a limited amount of fat. This meal plan is good for men. Snacks should contain fiber and proteins; The last snack per day should also contain milk and fats, which is designed to ensure that the level of sugar in the woman's blood was constant and at night.
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Hypertension during pregnancy
Hypertension is another disease that occurs in some pregnant women (hypertension is also called increased blood pressure). Most women suffering from hypertension during pregnancy did not have high blood pressure before it, and this problem usually disappears after the birth of the child. In some cases, a woman could suffer from hypertension before pregnancy.
When a woman's blood pressure rises, the blood vessels of the uterus, which provide the nurturing baby with nutrients and oxygen, shrink. These cuts can slow the development of the fetus. Hypertension also increases the risk of abruption of the placenta (separation of the placenta from the wall of the uterus to the birth).
Hypertension can lead to other complications: about 20% of all women who suffered from it before pregnancy are prone to pre-eclampsia.
This condition is treated bed rest. Strengthened by drinking and exclusion from the diet of salt and write containing a large amount of sodium. If these regime changes do not work, medications that lower blood pressure may be prescribed. Women, on whom this does not work, most likely will be hospitalized.
SUPPORT OF A SPOUSE. A man should help his wife avoid food that contains a large amount of salt and sodium, and also make sure that she drinks more. Constant blood pressure measurements are a good way to persuade a woman to comply with these recommendations.
If a woman is recommended bed rest, you should help her with all her strength. The ways that it can be helped are described later in this chapter, in the section on bed rest. It is necessary to help her observe the instructions of doctors, and also make it possible for her to rest by taking on household chores and not inspiring her to do what is contrary to medical advice given by doctors.
Miscarriage
Miscarriage is the completion of pregnancy before the 20th week of gestation (premature termination of pregnancy after the 20th week is called stillbirth). An embryo or fetus is born before it can independently survive outside the uterus.
Miscarriage is an unpleasant event for any married couple. Many couples mistakenly blame themselves for this. This is not the fault of the spouses, and the man should not blame either himself or his wife.
The main cause of early miscarriage is pathology in the development of the embryo. Studies have shown that more than half of all miscarriages in the embryo had chromosomal abnormalities. Miscarriage can also be caused by external factors - radiation or some chemicals (drugs or drugs). In some cases, the combination of the sperm and the egg of the spouses leads to genetic abnormalities that result in miscarriage.
The first sign warning of the probability of miscarriage - bleeding from the vagina, followed by cramps. If a woman has these symptoms, you should immediately call a doctor! Unfortunately, much can be done neither by the man, nor by his spouse, nor by the doctor, to prevent miscarriage: there is no such operation or medicine to stop it.
SUPPORT OF A SPOUSE. Most doctors recommend rest in bed and lack of tension. Some prescribe a hormone progestogen, but not all doctors agree with the need for its use. Ultrasound and blood tests can help a doctor determine if there is a risk of miscarriage, but this is not an ideally accurate result. In most cases, miscarriage happens regardless of the actions taken.
This can be a serious trauma for both spouses. A woman will need the support of a man, and him - her support. You should share your feelings of loss and sadness and not blame each other for that. Very often one or both spouses believe that they are to blame for the miscarriage.
At this time it is very important to help each other. A man should explain to a woman that this is not her fault. Spouses and so it is difficult to bear this loss, and the sense of guilt here is absolutely superfluous.
Pathologies associated with the placenta
The placenta ensures the transfer of nutrients and oxygen from the future mother to the nurturing child and diverts metabolic products from it. The most common pathology associated with the placenta: placenta previa, placenta abruption and placenta accretion.
PLEASE PROMOTE PLACENTS. In the case of placenta previa, it overlaps the cervix partially or completely. The placenta can separate from the uterus when the cervix expands (opens) during childbirth, which leads to severe bleeding. Prevalence of the placenta occurs in 1 of 200 pregnant women during the last trimester of pregnancy.
In the case of placenta previa, the child is most likely in the wrong position. For this reason, and to avoid bleeding, the doctor almost always recommends a cesarean section. Symptoms of placenta previa are different, but one of the characteristic signs is painless bleeding.
SUPPORT OF A SPOUSE. If the doctor has determined that a woman has placenta previa, she will have to avoid certain types of activity. Most doctors recommend avoiding sexual intercourse and travel, as well as palpation. Placenta previa is a very serious complication and can lead to severe bleeding. If a woman is given instructions because she has a placenta praevia, you should help her observe them.
ABROPTION PLACENTS. The abruption of the placenta is the separation of the placenta from the wall of the uterus until the onset of labor. Normally, it does not separate from it until the child is born. The separation of the placenta before childbirth can be dangerous for both the mother and the child.
The abruption of the placenta occurs about once per 80 genera. The main sign of abruption of the placenta is a strong bleeding from the vagina. In the case of very severe bleeding, a woman may have a shock associated with loss of blood. Other symptoms are also likely, such as pain or severe seizures. In some cases, ultrasound can diagnose this problem.
The main method of treatment is the extraction of the child. However, the timing of delivery differs in each case; sometimes caesarean section is recommended, but it all depends on the specific situation.
SUPPORT OF A SPOUSE. It is known that the risk of abruption of the placenta increases, if a woman smokes or consumes alcohol, so you should stop doing both (this is also necessary for other reasons). The use of cocaine can also lead to this pathology. The abruption of the placenta is unpleasant in that it involves serious problems. That's why in this situation a woman needs support. It is also important to follow the instructions of doctors. Perhaps, the woman will be hospitalized or she will not be able to perform certain actions. She needs the help of a man, and this help should be provided.
WITH RASTA AND E PLACENTS. Sometimes, during birth, the placenta does not separate after the birth of the child, as it usually occurs a few minutes after the birth.
When the placenta or part of the placenta is not separated, this is called the growth of the placenta.
The most significant problem in this case is severe bleeding after childbirth. If the placenta does not come out itself, the doctor will have to separate it in the course of the procedure called stretching and separation. If the placenta has grown through the uterine wall, it is possible to remove the uterus, but this happens rarely.
SUPPORT OF A SPOUSE. In the case of placenta growth, there is often a heavy bleeding, which can lead to anemia. Anemia is the decrease in the number of blood cells, leading to fatigue and a lack of strength. Probably, the woman will need to take iron preparations. Serious situations may require a blood transfusion. Recovery after anemia, resulting from the growth of the placenta, usually occurs longer and heavier. A woman needs support from a man in more cases; perhaps, she will be recommended bed rest.
Preeclampsia
The state of pre-eclampsia was formerly called toxemia of pregnant women or simply toxemia. This is a serious problem that occurs only during pregnancy. Preeclampsia may develop after the 20th week of pregnancy, although in most cases it develops after the 30th. If left without intervention, it poses a serious danger to the mother and child.
Fortunately, in most cases, preeclampsia is mild and cured. In the case of mild preeclampsia, the blood pressure rises gradually (hypertension is described above). The only visible symptom of pre-eclampsia may be edema of the legs, hands and face.
Observance of all the recommendations of doctors is the best way to avoid the development of this condition. When performing the prescriptions, the doctor can usually cure pre-eclampsia before this condition becomes serious.
Certain signs indicate a worsening of the condition. Immediately call a doctor if a woman has pre-eclampsia, a growing pain in the right upper quadrant, a headache, a woman sees spots or has other visual hallucinations.
In the case of mild pre-eclampsia, the doctor will most likely recommend a woman to rest in bed until the blood pressure stabilizes or until she gives birth. She may be advised to drink plenty of fluids and avoid salty foods and foods containing large amounts of sodium. In some cases, pregnant women may prescribe medications that lower blood pressure.
In case of deterioration, the future mother is hospitalized in order to provide her with bed rest and supervision. Can do a blood test. The child to be born will also be observed and evaluated; in particular, a biophysical profile or a passive test is possible.
ECLAMPSIA. Fortunately, preeclampsia rarely gets heavier, but if it does, it can quickly develop into a severe condition called eclampsia. Eclampsia is combined with convulsions or convulsions, and a woman can fall into a coma (cramps are a loss of control over the body, like a faint, often a person shakes, convulsions are strong convulsions). And convulsions and convulsions can damage the future mother or her baby.
A woman can prescribe medication against seizures, including magnesium sulfate or an anticonvulsant, for example, phenobarbital. Perhaps she will be hospitalized for a detailed examination.
If these measures do not help and the woman's condition does not improve, artificial birth will be necessary, so that the mother does not experience such complications as convulsions, stroke, liver and kidney damage. In this situation, it is important that a man actively participate in the decision.
SUPPORT OF A SPOUSE. As we mentioned in the discussion of pregnant women, a man should help his wife avoid food that contains a large amount of salt or sodium. It is necessary to drink a lot of liquid. If a woman is recommended bed rest, a man should help her in everything and support. The methods by which this can be done are described in the section on bed rest. If a woman's condition worsens and she is put in a hospital, the man should be informed that he will do everything necessary to support her. Ask your spouse what she would like to take care of - perhaps this is something she wanted to do before the baby was born. If it is not recommended to work, you should help to understand and take the necessary changes.
Premature birth and premature birth
In some situations, a pregnant woman can see that she may have premature birth. Premature birth means that the child was born more than 4 weeks earlier; this is also called premature birth. About 10% of all children are born between the 34th and 36th weeks of pregnancy, and most of them are normal and healthy.
However, the birth of a child for a rather long time before this period can lead to problems, especially if he was born before the 32nd week of gestation. Premature birth of a child can be dangerous, since lungs and other organ systems may be underdeveloped and not ready to perform their functions on their own. In most cases, both for the mother and the baby is better if premature birth can be prevented, so as not to increase the risk of complications.
If a woman starts premature birth, it is important for the doctor to try to stop the fights. Most doctors recommend a bed rest and plenty of fluids as a first step. Medications can be prescribed later. Why is the bed rest prescribed first? This often helps as a precaution against preterm labor. Before the medications appeared, bed rest was the only way to prevent premature birth, and this remedy is still effective.
There are medicines that a doctor can use to stop preterm labor, consistent with the history of pregnancy. Even if a woman is prescribed a medicine, she is likely to recommend bed rest. Medications that relax the uterus and relieve contractions include magnesium sulfate, beta-adrenergics and sedatives or narcotics.
SUPPORT OF A SPOUSE. If a woman is recommended bed rest, a man should help her in all available ways. They are described below. Sometimes it is useful to understand that every day a child will be inside the womb is the day when a man does not have to enter the intensive care unit of newborns!
Bed rest
To increase the chances of a woman giving birth to a healthy baby, recommend bed rest. The three most frequent cases of such recommendations are the risk of preterm birth, preeclampsia and placenta prolegia.
Nowadays, 1 in 5 women spend in bed at least 1 week during pregnancy. If the condition is serious or a woman can not lie in bed at home, she may be hospitalized.
Why do we need bed rest? First of all, when the woman is lying down, the baby does not press on the cervix, which can help with the risk of premature birth. Secondly, when a woman lies on her side, it improves the blood flow to the uterus, and consequently, the child receives more nutrients and oxygen. A woman can be turned from side to side, but you can not lie on your back, since the hollow vein is pinched and, consequently, the supply of blood to the baby decreases.
Bed rest can seriously differ from the ordinary way of life of spouses. A woman will not be able to work, and she will also have to give up other forms of activity; such changes can cause stress. A woman can be hard to force herself to lie in bed, but a man should remind her that it is better at home than in a hospital!
About what can and can not be done by a woman who has been recommended bed rest, you should ask your doctor. Sometimes you can not get out of bed, except for how to eat, visit the bathroom and prsnatalnye advice. In some cases, bed rest may be less stringent. A woman can be allowed to sit or behave a little more actively during part of the day. She may also be prescribed medication.
Bed rest is usually recommended closer to the end of pregnancy, and most women are forced to comply with it right up to delivery! This may not be very fun for both spouses, especially if they remember that with the birth of a child they will have many new responsibilities. And it really is not very fun if the doctor recommends refraining from sex during bed rest.
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Spousal support
A man should maintain a positive way of thinking, if his wife was recommended bed rest. This advice is good for both spouses! The goals of resting in bed are a healthy child and a healthy mother. If a woman feels depressed at this time (which is a normal reaction), the man should remind her that everything is done for the best start to the life of the child. There are some things that a man can do to help his wife take this need easier. He should be with her when he is at home. It's very lonely all day to lie in bed alone. Encourage her friends and relatives to call or come to her if the woman feels well enough for this. If they offer to help around the house, this help should be accepted! Most people like to help. They can be asked to do some shopping, dry cleaning, laundry, sit with children or cook food.
A man should take care of housework. If a woman worries about a dirty toilet or unwashed dishes, this can damage her. At the same time, you should remind her that you are doing everything possible, and the house is unlikely to look as brilliant as she would like.
If a man thinks about what to give to his wife, he should choose what will help her to spend long hours in bed. A new CD, rented videotapes, a beautiful set of stationery and stamps, a new book or book on the cassette will help her to spend time.
Emergency surgery during pregnancy
An emergency situation may occur even during pregnancy. In this case, the intervention must be carried out in the best way for the woman and for her developing fetus. Some operations may be necessary. For example, appendicitis, removal of stones from the bladder, ovarian cysts, bone fractures and problems with the teeth.
Anesthesia or anesthesia is most likely required for surgery. You should ask your doctor to use it minimally. For a woman and a child, it is best to avoid general anesthesia in the first trimester and in general. If general anesthesia is required, during the operation the doctors will carefully monitor the condition of the child.
In case of an emergency, the doctor will do everything to keep the health of the mother and child. If the spouses are faced with this problem, they should make decisions together with the doctor. It should be understood that problems such as appendicitis and bone fractures require attention and can not wait for the termination of pregnancy.