Pregnancy Emergencies: Is Emergency Contraception Safe?

Pregnancy is a magical time, but it can also be stressful, with the excitement of impending parenthood giving way to concerns about the safety of your child. While some symptoms are normal, you know your body best, so if something doesn't feel right, don't hesitate to go to the emergency room. Here are some symptoms that require immediate medical attention:

- A sudden decrease in fetal movement.

- Vaginal bleeding, especially if it resembles a period or is accompanied by abdominal pain.

- Quick-onset changes in vision coupled with a severe headache, which can be early signs of preeclampsia.

- Contractions that are felt deep in the lower back, make you unable to walk, or occur five minutes apart for over an hour.

If you experience any of these symptoms, it's important to seek immediate medical attention. Call the emergency room on your way so they can prepare for your arrival, and don't hesitate to call 911 if you're alone or need a ride.

• Vaginal bleeding
• Headaches/changes in vision
• Contractions | | When to call your doctor | - Any bleeding during pregnancy
• Heavy bleeding with severe stomach pain in the first 3 months of pregnancy
• Heavy bleeding with cramping in the first 3-4 months of pregnancy
• Bleeding with abdominal pain in the last 3 months of pregnancy
• Stomach cramps in early pregnancy
• Dizziness
• Severe vomiting or sickness
• Severe stomach pain
• Lower back pain
• Rapid increase in blood pressure
• Blurry vision and headaches
• Sudden and significant swelling of hands, face and feet
• Fever
• A decrease in your baby’s normal daily movements
• Regular, increasingly intense contractions before 37 weeks of pregnancy
• If your waters break before labour begins |

When to go to the emergency room

Pregnancy is a time of great excitement but also of great stress, as you are responsible for the health of your unborn child. While some symptoms are normal, you know your body best, so if you feel something is not right, do not hesitate to go to the emergency room. Here are some symptoms that require immediate medical attention:

• Sudden decrease in fetal movement: If you go more than a few hours without feeling any movement from your baby, seek emergency medical attention.
• Vaginal bleeding: A little bit of vaginal bleeding is common during pregnancy, but if it becomes similar to a period or heavier, go to the emergency room. This could be a sign of a serious complication. Additionally, if the bleeding is accompanied by abdominal pain, seek immediate medical attention.
• Headaches/changes in vision: Sudden changes in vision coupled with a severe headache can be early signs of preeclampsia, a severe condition that can cause seizures during labour and placental abruption. This can be life-threatening for both mother and baby, so if you experience these symptoms, go straight to the emergency room.
• Contractions: Some contractions may be Braxton Hicks or false labour, but others can indicate true labour or even early labour. If your contractions are felt deep in your lower back, are so intense that you cannot walk through them, or are five minutes apart for over an hour, get to the hospital immediately.

Remember, if you experience any of these symptoms, call the emergency room on your way there so they can prepare for your arrival.

Miscarriage

Heavy bleeding with severe abdominal pain or cramping in the first three to four months of pregnancy could be a sign of miscarriage. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor or midwife.

If you are experiencing a miscarriage, it is important to ensure that you are not at risk of excessive bleeding or infection. Sometimes, a procedure may be necessary to treat an infection or remove pregnancy tissue.

It is important to note that taking birth control pills before getting pregnant does not cause early pregnancy loss. This is a common worry, but these two events are not related.

Additionally, using emergency contraception, such as Plan B, while pregnant will not cause a miscarriage. These pills have no effect once a fertilized egg has been implanted.

Ectopic pregnancy

In a healthy pregnancy, the fertilized egg attaches itself to the lining of the uterus. However, in an ectopic pregnancy, the egg attaches itself somewhere outside the uterus, typically to the inside of a fallopian tube. As the fertilized egg grows in the wrong place, signs and symptoms become more noticeable. The first warning signs of an ectopic pregnancy may include light vaginal bleeding and pelvic pain. If blood leaks from the fallopian tube, shoulder pain or an urge to have a bowel movement may occur.

If left untreated, an ectopic pregnancy can cause life-threatening bleeding. As the fertilized egg continues to grow, it can cause the fallopian tube to rupture, leading to heavy bleeding inside the abdomen. Symptoms of this life-threatening event include extreme lightheadedness, fainting, and shock. Therefore, it is crucial to seek emergency medical help if any signs or symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy are present.

The treatment options for ectopic pregnancy include medication or surgery. Methotrexate is a drug that can be administered to stop the growth of the fertilized egg, which is then absorbed by the body over 4-6 weeks. This treatment does not require the removal of the fallopian tube. However, if the fallopian tube has ruptured or is damaged, surgery may be necessary. Laparoscopy, a common surgical procedure, involves making small incisions in the lower abdomen and inserting a thin, flexible tube called a laparoscope to remove the ectopic pregnancy.

It is important to note that ectopic pregnancies are the leading cause of pregnancy-related deaths in the first trimester, and there is no way to prevent them. However, certain lifestyle choices, such as using condoms during sex and avoiding vaginal douches, can help lower the risk of ectopic pregnancy.

Preeclampsia

Symptoms

• Excess protein in urine (proteinuria)
• Decreased levels of platelets in the blood (thrombocytopenia)
• Increased liver enzymes indicating liver problems
• Changes in vision, including temporary loss of vision, blurred vision, or light sensitivity
• Shortness of breath caused by fluid in the lungs
• Pain in the upper belly, usually under the ribs on the right side
• Sudden weight gain and swelling (edema), particularly in the face and hands

Diagnosis

To diagnose preeclampsia, your doctor will check for high blood pressure and at least one of the following signs:

• Excess protein in urine
• Decreased levels of platelets in the blood
• High levels of kidney- or liver-related chemicals in the blood
• A new headache that doesn't go away with medication

Treatment

The only cure for preeclampsia is to give birth. If you have mild preeclampsia, your doctor may prescribe bed rest, careful monitoring, and medications to lower your blood pressure. If you have severe preeclampsia, your doctor may need to deliver your baby right away, even if you're not close to term.

Prevention

If you are at increased risk of preeclampsia, your doctor may recommend a low-dose aspirin (81 milligrams) daily after 12 weeks of pregnancy. They may also advise lifestyle changes such as weight loss and blood pressure or blood sugar control.

Placental abruption

Risk Factors

Risk factors for placental abruption can be grouped into three categories: health history, current pregnancy, and unexpected trauma. Factors that increase the risk of placental abruption include:

• Smoking
• Cocaine use during pregnancy
• Maternal age over 35 years
• High blood pressure
• Placental abruption in a previous pregnancy
• Multiple gestation pregnancies
• Preeclampsia
• Trauma to the abdomen, such as a car accident or fall
• Early rupture of membranes
• Infection inside the uterus during pregnancy

Symptoms

The main symptom of placental abruption is vaginal bleeding. However, in some cases, there may be no visible bleeding as the blood can become trapped inside the uterus. Other symptoms include:

• Uterine tenderness or rigidity
• Uterine contractions
• Abdominal and back pain
• Anaemia

Diagnosis and Treatment

Frequently asked questions