Restrictions On Sex During Pregnancy

High Risk Pregnancy

Pre-existing factors that include :- 

• Diabetes

• High Blood Pressure

• Heart Disorders

• Cancer

• Obesity

• Kidney Disorders

• HIV or STD (Sexually Transmitted Diseases)

• Risky Age Group under 18 or Over 35

Placenta Previa

Placenta protects and nourishes the baby supplying it all the nutrients and oxygen. Normally, placenta is attached to the top or side of the uterus but sometimes it is attached so low in the uterus that a part of it covers the cervix -- this condition is called placenta previa. This situation leads to the blockage of vaginal opening and normal delivery of the baby becomes difficult.

Types of Placenta Previa

• Complete Previa : When placenta covers the entire cervical opening

• Partial Previa : When placenta covers a part of cervical opening

• Marginal Previa : When placenta extends just to the edge of cervix

Cause Of Placenta Previa

• The exact cause of Placenta Previa is not known

Symptoms Of Placenta Previa

• Painless bleeding
• Baby remains in a transverse position
• Uterus appears larger than normal

Treatment Of Placenta Previa

• Doctors usually advise regular check up
• Bed Rest for the mother
• In case of uncontrollable bleeding, Doctors usually advise immediate cesarean delivery irrespective of length of pregnancy
• According to experts, normal delivery may be possible in case of 'marginal previa' but cesarean is inevitable in cases of  'complete' and 'partial previa'

Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is typical problem during pregnancy only. High blood pressure(Gestational hypertension) and protein in urine are usually indicative of preeclampsia. However, high blood pressure doesn't necessarily indicate 'preeclampsia', it may be due to some other problems as well.  It is believed about 8 percent of pregnant women are affected by it. 

Symptoms

• High blood pressure
• Protein in urine
• In case of 'severe preeclampsia' headache, blurred vision, fatigue, nausea, breathing difficulty and pain in the upper right abdomen may also occur 

Risk

Preeclampsia can prevent sufficient blood supply to the placenta resulting in less oxygen and nutrients for the developing baby. But most women deliver healthy babies if preeclampsia is diagnosed early and treated with care.

Treatment

• If due date is imminent and the baby is well developed doctors usually recommend early delivery as soon as possible
• But in case of mild preeclampsia and the baby is not developed enough, Doctors recommend :- less salt, rest, drinking of sufficient water, consumption of more protein and periodical check up.

HELLP Syndrome

HELLP syndrome is a group of factors that may develop among women during pregnancy. They include :-

• EL ( Elevated Liver Enzymes ) : It is an indication of malfunctioning of liver due to inflammation or injured liver cells. In this condition liver secretes certain high amounts of chemicals/enzymes into blood.

• LP ( Low Platelet Count ) : Since platelet helps blood clot quickly, low level of platelet pushes the mother to the brink of life threatening bleeding

• Hemolysis ( Breakdown of Red Blood Cells ) : This condition is characterized by breaking down of red blood cells too early leading to anemia 

Symptoms :

The symptoms of HELLP Syndrome are sometimes confused with some other medical conditions including viral illnesses. The symptoms appear in the 20th week and before the 37th week :-

• Headache
• Nausea
• Vomiting 
• Fatigue
• Pain in stomach
• In case of extreme condition - blurred vision, breathing problem, swelled hands and face, weight gain may also occur

All these symptoms are quite confusable with various other types of illnesses. If the mother is already suffering from preeclampsia or at the risk of it, any unusual symptom or any sudden change in how the mother is feeling should be consulted with the Doctor at the earliest.

Diagnosis :

First of all Doctor examines whether there is any swelling, abdominal tenderness, high blood pressure and enlargement of liver. Then advice for following tests may be given :-

• Blood test for platelet and red blood cell count 
• Urine test to check liver enzymes 
• CT scan for suspected bleeding in the liver

Treatment

The best way to get rid of the risk of HELLP syndrome is early delivery. If pregnancy has crossed 34th week and the Doctors are satisfied with the development of the baby and its lungs condition, a premature delivery may be advised. If pregnancy is much short of 34th week and the development of the baby is not at all satisfactory following types of treatment may be advised :- 

• Maximum rest
• Monitoring of blood pressure and medication
• Blood transfusion if platelet level is considerably low
• Corticosteroids (helps develops lungs of the baby)
• Magnesium sulfate (prevents seizures)

Risks

In case of absence of early treatment and delay in detection, HELLP syndrome can be fatal for both the mother and the baby. Mothers run the risk of kidney failure, serious damage to liver, fluid in lungs, stroke and placental abruption (displacement of placenta from the uterine wall causing life threatening bleeding). Since this disorder obstructs the development of lungs of the baby, death is most likely to occur if not treated early.

Prevention

There is no way to prevent HELLP  but it is believed a healthy diet and periodical check up as advised by the Doctors may lower the risk substantially.

Multiples

When the mother carries more than one baby, there is a concrete possibility of the mother developing 'pregnancy complications' like :-

• Preeclampsia : Please read above

• Placental Abruption : This means separation of the placenta from the uterine lining occurring generally after 20th week of pregnancy. Instances of placental abruption is only 1 percent among all the pregnant women and that too medically treatable. 

• Preterm Labor : This is a condition in which changes in the cervix occur due to contractions of the uterus usually happening before 37 weeks of pregnancy. A preterm birth may happen between 20th and 37th weeks of pregnancy. Babies may suffer from serious health disorders as a result of preterm birth before 34th weeks of pregnancy.

• Gestational Diabetes

• Low birth weight of the babies

• Cesarean

• Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR)

Preterm Labor

Preterm labor or 'premature labor' is a term used to describe a condition where the body of a pregnant starts getting ready for delivery too early in pregnancy. A labor is called 'premature' if it starts three week or more before 'Due Date'. A normal pregnancy should last about 40 weeks ( counting from the first day of the last period as day : 1 ). Any labor occurring before 37th week of pregnancy is called 'preterm labor' and a baby born before 37th week is called a 'premature baby'. 

Fortunately, extensive research, development in science and medical support and availability of  NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit ) survival record of 'premature babies' is very high and hopeful. 

Reason : There are a number of reasons suspected to be behind 'preterm labor'. Some of them are :-

• Obesity(overweight) or underweight before pregnancy 

• Preeclampsia (read above) or high blood pressure 

• Being pregnant with the help of  IVF( In Vitro Fertilization )

• Pregnant with a baby carrying 'birth defects'

• Being pregnant too soon after last pregnancy

• Lack of prenatal care

• Smoking, alcohol and drugs

• Carrying Multiples ( read above )

• A family history of preterm labor

Prevention

There is a need to be cautious about certain complications to prevent 'preterm labor'. They are :-

• Never neglect flu like symptoms such as nausea, vomiting or diarrhea

• Frequent contractions say every 10 minutes

• Fluid leak through vagina

• Vaginal bleeding

• Constant lower backache

• Experiencing frequent cramp in lower abdomen

• Increased pressure in pelvis

May be, any or some of the above complications are not indicative of 'premature labor' but a consultation with doctors is always welcome.