Signs and Symptoms-Colicky(spasmodic), crampy pain with tenderness, often brown vaginal spotting or light bleeding, sometimes nausea, vomiting, dizziness, or weakness. If tube bursts, heavy bleeding may begin, signs of shock(rapid or weak pulse, clammy skin, and fainting)are common.
Treatment
-Getting to the hospital immediatly is very important. New techniques for early diagnosis and treatment of tubal pregnancy have removed most of the risk for the mother while greatly improving the chances of preserving her fertility.
Early Miscarriage:
What is it?-A spontaneous expulsion from the uterus of an embryo or fetus before it is able to live outside of the uterus. "Early Miscarriage" is considered to be in the first trimester.
Signs and Symptoms-Most often bleeding with cramping or pain in the center of the lower abdomen. Clots or greyish matter may also be expelled as the miscarriage actually begins. More often than not though, is that the miscarriage happens so early in pregnancy, that you dont even realize it. Doctors say that it is about 40% of conceptions that early miscarriage actually occurs.
Treatment- If during a doctor visit, the doctor finds that the cervix is dialated, he/she will assume that either a miscarriage has already occurred or is in progress. In that case there is no possible way to prevent the loss. If the fetus is presumed to be alive, by either an ultrasound or Doppler device, and the cervix is not dialated, it is most likely that the miscarriage will not occur.
Late Miscarriage
What is it?- Any spontaneous expulsion of the fetus between the end of the first trimester and the 20th week of term. After the 20th week, the fetus is able to live outside of the uterus- even with a lot help from the neonatal nursery staff and equipment, the event is labled a preterm birth.
Signs and Symptoms- A pink discharge for several days, or a scant brown discharge for several weeks, indicates a threatened miscarriage. Heavier bleeding along with cramping or pain usually means that the miscarriage is inevitable.
Treatment- For a threatened late miscarriage, bed rest is often prescribed. If the spotting stops, this is taken that it wasn't related to a miscarriage, and resumption of usual activity is usually permitted. If the cervix has begun to dialate, a diagnosis of an incompetent cervix may be made and they might stich closed the cervix to prevent miscarriage. If heavy bleeding is occurring with pain or cramping, treatment is usually aimed towards the mothers health and safety. Hospitalization may be required to prevent hemorrhaging. If cramping or bleeding still persist after the miscarriage has taken place, something called a D and a C may be necessary to remove anything that remains of the pregnancy.
Gestational Diabetes
What is it?- A temporary condition, similar to other types of diabetes, in which the body does not produce adequate amounts of insulin to deal with the increased blood sugar of pregnancy.
Signs and Symptoms- The first sign may be sugar in the urine, but there may also be unusual thirst, frequent and very copious(heavy) urination, and fatigue.
Treatment- Fortunately, virtually all potential risks associated with diabetes in pregnancy can be eliminated through the control of blood sugar and good medical and self care. But dont worry, doctors say that mothers and there babies have almost as good a chance to come through pregnancy and childbirth as well as any other mother and baby.
Preeclampsia (Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension)
What is it?- Also known as toxemia, Preeclampsia is a pregnancy related form of high blood pressure. No one knows what's the cause of it, nore why it most often develops in first-time moms-to-be, although some researchers relate it to poor nutrition. In the blood of a mother with preeclampsia, it is said to carry toxic substances that damage the human endothelial cells(the cells that line the blood vessels). Some doctors' theory is that these are produced by the body as an immune, or defensive, reaction to the foreign intruder...the baby... when the mechanism that is supposed to work to supress such a reaction during pregnancy is either absent or has failed.
Signs and Symptoms- Initially; swelling of the hands and face with sudden weight gain (both related to water retention); high blood pressure(140/90 or more when usually normal), increased quantities of protein in the urine, blurred vision, headaches, all over itching, irritability, scanty urine output, confusion,and/or severe gastric pains. If this goes untreated, for a long period of time, it could damage the nervous system, and/or blood vessels.
Treatment- Treatment will vary according to the severity of the disease, the condition of both the mother and the baby, the length of the pregnancy, and with doctors judgement.
With mild condition-the woman who is near term and whos' cervix is softened and thinned, is usually induced without delay. If she isnt, bed rest is usually prescribed. Usually a woman with preeclampsia is not allowed to go past her due date(40 weeks) since post-term the uterus begins to deteriorate faster than normal and it would be best for the baby and mother not to go past the due date.
With severe condition-Intravenous magnesium sulfate is begun promptly because it almost always prevents convulsions, one of the most serious complications of the disease. If the fetus is close to term and/or its lungs are determined to be matured, immediate delivery is usually the recommended route. If the fetus is preterm, but at least 28 weeks, delivery is still usually the answer since it is believed to be better for both the baby and the mother. Any younger than 28 weeks, doctors usually try conservative management, even when its severe, in order to give the fetus more time to mature in the uterus. In most cases the preeclampsia usually goes away after delivery.
Premature labor-
Why mostly in teens?- As you might know or have possibly read, being a pregnant teen, you are most vulnerable to premature labor and/or premature birth. It's not because we dont take care of ourselves properly, or get the adequate medical attention, its simply because our bodies are still growing and maturing. The baby takes so much out of your body, things that you need to keep healthy and grow, so if the baby is not getting enough of what it needs, simply because your body is taking the nutrients, your uterus' "defense mechanism" is most likely to kick in and send you into preterm labor or even delivery, in hopes that the baby will be better off outside of the uterus.
What is it?- Labor that begins before the 37th week when the baby is considered full term.
Signs and Symptoms- Menstrual-like cramps, with or w/o diarrhea, nausea, or indigestion; an achiness or pressure in the pelvis, thighs, or groin, lower back pain or pressure; a watery or pinkish or brownish discharge possibly preceded by the passage of a thick, gelatinous mucus plug; and or a trickle or flow of amniotic fluid.
Treatment- Prompt medical attention to the above symptoms is important since treatment can usually halt or postpone premature labor. Drugs(tocolytic agents) are usually given to relax the uterus so not to contract. If thought to be an infection that triggered labor, then antibiotics are given. Along with these drugs, bed rest is usually prescribed.