Pregnancy poisoning, or gestosis, is a dangerous condition that can threaten the lives of the mother and child. Pregnancy poisoning is at risk of, among others, women who give birth for the first time, have multiple pregnancies or struggle with diabetes and high blood pressure. What is pregnancy poisoning? What are its causes and symptoms? How is gestosis treated? How to prevent pregnancy poisoning?

Pregnancy poisoning , in other wordsgestosis , is a group of characteristic disease symptoms induced by pregnancy. Pregnancy poisoning can be dangerous for both the expectant mother and her unborn child, as it can lead to, inter alia, to detachment of the placenta, premature birth, death of the fetus, and even death of the mother.

Pregnancy poisoning occurs most often in the second half of pregnancy (after the 20th week of its duration) and is one of the most common causes of death in pregnant women and fetuses. It is estimated that gestosis affects 5-10 percent of pregnant women.

Pregnancy poisoning (gestosis) - causes

The causes of gestosis are not fully known. In the past, gestosis was incorrectly referred to as pregnancy poisoning, suggesting such a cause of the disease.

The risk of developing the disease is greater in women who give birth for the first time and / or are more than one pregnant. The age of pregnant women is also important - those over 35 are more prone to pregnancy poisoning.

Currently, it is believed that its development is influenced by improper diet, genetic predisposition and hormonal changes occurring during pregnancy. The experience of doctors shows that pregnancy poisoning more often affects women who suffered from hypertension before becoming pregnant, had problems with diabetes, the circulatory system or the kidneys ( although it can also occur in women who have not previously suffered from hypertension - the so-called primary gestosis). Gestosis is also often associated with liver disease, serological conflict, and the presence of a molar (a benign form of gestational trophoblastic disease). According to some doctors, mental disorders, e.g. not accepting pregnancy, may also contribute to the symptoms of pregnancy poisoning.

Pregnancy poisoning (gestosis) - symptoms

Pregnancy poisoning is characterized by a set of disease symptoms for whichconsist of:

1. Hypertension (over 140/90 mmHg). This hypertension can be primary, ie it was present before pregnancy, or it was induced by pregnancy. It should be noted that the increased pressure at the gynecologist does not necessarily indicate pregnancy poisoning, as it may be the result of stress (the so-called white coat effect).

2. Proteinuria, i.e. too much protein in the urine, may mean another stage of the disease, especially if it exceeds 0.3 g per day.

3. Swelling, resulting from water retention in the body, especially in the legs, is a common complaint in pregnant women. These swellings are not pathological if they subside after a night of rest. Generalized edema (which, in addition to the lower limbs, include the upper limbs, face and abdomen), which does not disappear after a night of sleep and lasts all day, is a cause for concern. The rate of weight gain is also important (too fast and excessive may indicate edema formation), so it is important to monitor your weight regularly during pregnancy.

It should be noted that not all symptoms must appear simultaneously. Sometimes a pregnant woman may have problems with only one of them. However, if hypertension and edema are accompanied by proteinuria, it can be assumed that the pregnant woman develops the so-called pre-eclampsia - the second stage of the development of the disease. At this stage of the disease, arterial hypertension may cause disturbances in blood flow through the placenta, and thus - incorrect oxygenation and nutrition of the fetus, leading to the so-called hypotrophy, i.e. intrauterine growth restriction.

Important

Dangerous eclampsia

Eclampsia is the third and most dangerous stage of the disease. It is then that the syndrome of pre-eclampsia develops with seizures resembling epilepsy. How to recognize impending eclampsia? A pregnant woman may complain of severe headaches and dizziness and be anxious. In addition, there may be disturbances in consciousness, visual disturbances (scotomas in front of the eyes, vision behind the fog, double vision), as well as abdominal pain and vomiting. Sometimes you pass out.

Lack of medical intervention may lead to, inter alia, to premature birth, detachment of the placenta and hypoxia of the baby. In the mother, pregnancy poisoning may lead to pulmonary edema, the development of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC syndrome), renal failure, heart attack, stroke and the appearance of symptoms of HELLP syndrome.

Research shows that maternal mortality from eclampsia is 5-20 percent, and fetal and neonatal mortality is 20 percent.

Pregnancy poisoning (gestosis) - treatment

Treatment of pregnancy poisoning depends on the severity of the disease and the duration of pregnancy. When all three of the above-mentioned appeared symptoms, and additionally, the doctor finds that the growth of the fetus is disturbed, hospitalization is necessary. Then it is recommended to lie in bed and administer medications to lower blood pressure. In an advanced pregnancy, the doctor may suggest terminating it earlier, e.g. by caesarean section. A milder form of pregnancy poisoning usually occurs spontaneously, so it does not require medical intervention.

Important

Alarming symptoms, i.e. when to see a doctor as soon as possible

  • swelling of the entire body that does not go away after a night of rest
  • rapid weight gain - more than 0.4 kg / week in the second trimester and more than 0.5 kg / week in the third trimester
  • increase in blood pressure (when it is 140/90 mmHg or more)
  • sudden headaches and dizziness, visual disturbances, vomiting and pain in the upper abdomen

Pregnancy poisoning (gestosis) - how to prevent?

First of all, blood pressure should be systematically measured, body weight monitored, and urine tests should be performed periodically in every pregnant woman (usually at intervals of several weeks). It is worth for the pregnant woman to have her own blood pressure monitor and measure the pressure 2-4 times a day at home. In addition, a pregnant woman should take care of a proper diet. The menu of a pregnant woman should be rich in protein products and low in s alt and fats. The diet of a pregnant woman should include primarily vegetables, fruit, cheese and lean meat. It is also important to rest and stay outdoors.

Category:

Pregnancy