Diseases and Conditions of Pregnancy

• pre-eclampsia once called toxemia– a pregnancy disease in which symptoms

are– hypertension– protein in the urine – Swelling of the hands and face occurring after the

20th week of pregnancy

– Confirmed through protein in urine .

• Eclampsia is when hypertension, protein in the urine and swelling (Edema) becomes life-threatening. The symptoms are followed by loss of consciousness, convulsions and possibly coma.

Eclampsia

• Treatment is delivery of the baby if pre-eclampsia occurs too early the pregnancy is monitored

Gestational Diabetes

• A diabetic condition that occurs at approximately 20 to 24 weeks

• Women’s pancreas does not produce enough insulin to regulate their blood sugar.

• a complication that occurs in approximately 4%

• can result in various complications with delivery

• untreated may compromise the health of both mother and baby.

Gestational Diabetes

• Previously non-diabetic woman may experience diabetes during pregnancy is due to the insulin blocking hormones produced by the placenta.

• After delivery of the placenta, the condition essentially goes away.

• Most women’s blood sugar returns to normal almost immediately after giving birth.

Gestational Diabetes

• Research has indicated that gestational diabetes may be a precursor for developing the condition later in life. Approximately one half of women who develop gestational diabetes develop the condition permanently within about 15 years.

Testing

• The Glucose Screening Test• Around 22 weeks of pregnancy glucose-

screening test is preformed • The test itself is performed by drawing blood

and testing the blood sugar level. • Blood sugar level of 120 or higher, a similar,

but more in depth, glucose fasting test will be done to confirm the diagnosis.

• What About Baby?

larger than normal babies

jaundice

fetal distress

risk of cesarean does increase

In some cases, it may be necessary

to induce labor

placenta abruptio

• Also referred to as abruptio placenta or placental abruption– The placenta detaches from the uterine

wall– Can cause severe bleeding – Can jeopardize the life of the fetus and

mother

Placenta Abruptio

Risk Factors

• Have a history of placenta abruptio. A woman who has had one placenta abruptio has a 4% chance of having another in a later pregnancy.2 If she has had two or more pregnancies complicated by placenta abruptio, she has a 25% chance of having another.3

• Have hypertension, whether it is chronic or has been caused by the pregnancy (pregnancy-induced hypertension).

• Preeclampsia and High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy.

Risk Factors

• Smoke cigarettes.

• Use cocaine.2, 3 • Experience physical injury to the uterus, such

as from a motor vehicle accident or from a direct blow to the abdomen.3

• Have had a premature rupture of membranes (PROM) for more than 24 hours.

• Have a history of uterine problems, such as a tumor in the uterus (uterine leiomyoma).2

Risk Factors

• Have been pregnant before• The incidence of placenta abruptio increases

slightly with age2 • Are pregnant with multiple fetuses. Placenta

abruptio affects about 12 in 1,000 multiple pregnancies.5

• Have had a cesarean delivery (C-section). This slightly increases your risk of placental abruption.6

placenta previa

• placenta covers part or all of the cervix. About one in 250 pregnant women develop this condition

• cause severe, often painless bleeding usually toward the end of the second trimester or later.

• Uncontrolled hemorrhage can jeopardize a woman's life and the life of her baby,

• causes preterm labor, the baby will be delivered by c-section even if a woman's due date is weeks away.

Placenta Previa

• If an early ultrasound (between 12 and 14 weeks) shows the placenta near, or covering the cervix, don't be alarmed — it is most likely not placenta previa. As the uterus grows, it naturally pulls the placenta away from the cervix; in these cases, medical intervention generally isn't necessary.

Risk Factors

• Previously delivered a baby by cesarean section • Previously been diagnosed with placenta previa

face a higher risk with later pregnancies • pregnant with twins, you're also more likely to

develop placenta previa, • Smoking • Most women who develop the condition have no

apparent risk factors.

Treatment

• Treatment depends on whether or not bleeding has occurred and how weeks gestation.

• diagnosed after the 20th week, but not bleeding, cut way back activity level and increase the amount of time in bed.

• Bleeding heavily, hospitalized until woman and the fetus are stabilized. If the bleeding stops or is light continued bed rest until ready to deliver