Gynecology and Mammology >>>> Convulsions during pregnancy

Convulsions during pregnancy.

The convulsive syndrome that develops during pregnancy in a woman is called "eclampsia". This is a kind of complication of the course of pregnancy, caused by the toxicosis of pregnancy and the corresponding violation of the general state of health of the pregnant woman. Usually, such a phenomenon as eclampsia develops in the last weeks of pregnancy and causes justified fears both for the woman who has undergone eclampsia and for loved ones who have had a chance to observe the phenomenon of eclampsia from the outside.

Convulsions during pregnancy raise fears of pregnancy failure. And to understand what is happening with the female body, changes at the time of eclampsia does not hurt to get acquainted with the signs of eclampsia and the factors that precede its development.

The occurrence of eclampsia is characterized by a prolonged increase in side effects from the course of pregnancy, which eventually become factors that directly provoke convulsions in a pregnant woman.

Factors that contribute to the development of eclampsia almost always accompany pregnancy:

Excess weight gain, not controlled by a woman - in excess of 12 ounces per week.
Abuse of excess fluid intake, and the development against this background of edema of the legs and abdomen, which still add weight and raise blood pressure, since the kidneys cannot cope with the excretion of excess fluid in a timely manner.
High blood pressure causes headaches and is mediated by intraocular and intracranial pressure abnormalities.
In turn, high blood pressure and headache worsen vision - a pregnant woman with visual impairment appears flickering in the eyes, reminiscent of the flickering of small flies before the eyes.

All these signs increase gradually, and the state of eclampsia is the final state of deteriorating health, and manifests itself in the form of convulsive spasm: at the beginning, spasm of the facial muscles. Blood rushes to the vessels of the face, and it becomes purple-blue or red-blue, the muscles of the face begin to twitch, the face can be involuntarily distorted by a grimace. Together with these signs, convulsive spasm of the limbs begins, and the pregnant woman loses consciousness for a while. Convulsions stop breathing for a few seconds, which in itself causes panic in others. In addition, during a convulsive seizure, a woman, being unconscious, may bite her tongue or choke on it. Sometimes during an attack of eclampsia, frothy saliva begins to flow from a woman's mouth.

You need to know that a woman will come out of eclampsia after a while. Breathing will recover on its own, but the woman may still be unconscious.

First aid in such a critical case - the case of eclampsia is to create a safe environment for the woman to prevent her falling (which is very risky during pregnancy). Assistance from the outside in this scenario of toxicosis development begins with ensuring a safe position of the pregnant woman's body, then the handle of the spoon is quickly inserted between the molars so as not to allow the teeth to close together - this prevents the tongue from biting. To prevent a spoon or other suitable instrument from injuring the teeth and soft tissues of the oral cavity, it is wrapped with a handkerchief, a thin scarf or bandage (or other improvised means suitable for this situation. hit the throat.

So that the head with a convulsive syndrome does not knock on the surface on which the woman was laid, her head is supported (you can put it on your knees, if the position of the body of the injured woman allows.

Eclampsia is very similar to an epileptic seizure, and the actions performed on the affected woman play the same role as helping with an epileptic seizure. When a woman regains consciousness, before the arrival of an ambulance, she needs to create an atmosphere of silence, peace, create a darkening in the room, since an attack can begin from any sharp noise or bright light. Since at the time of eclampsia there is a temporary cessation of breathing, it is necessary, if possible, to create access to fresh air, and ideally use an oxygen inhaler (oxygen cartridge or oxygen pillow).

In any case of eclampsia, even if there is an improvement in well-being upon exiting the attack, you will need an ambulance and consultation with a doctor who monitors the condition of the pregnant woman.