Almost any woman, at least in the vast majority of cases, comes the most crucial moment in her life. It's about pregnancy, and for some women, having a baby can be the best gift of fate. However, in this case, the expectant mother should take a closer look at her health than before. If any problems arise, they should be addressed in a timely manner. Treatment of pancreatitis during pregnancy is also included in the list of mandatory measures. And this disease is not so rare.
General position
Everyone knows that carrying a child is a difficult test for a woman, and for some women it is an impossible task. The body of the expectant mother is subjected to tremendous stresses, which inevitably leads to a decrease in immunity, because the baby needs nutrients, especially during the first months of pregnancy.
As a result, problems of a different nature may arise, including the development of any disease. The presence of toxicosis, nausea, vomiting and other pregnancy-related phenomena, sometimes unpleasant, can be considered a kind of norm. But if these signs persist after three months of bearing the child, there is every reason to believe that the development of the inflammatory process of the pancreas has begun.
Diagnosis and treatment of pancreatitis in pregnancy, based on their special status, is carried out a little differently than under normal circumstances.
Diagnosis
Do not underestimate pancreatitis due to the severity of the disease. Therefore, it is important to diagnose in a timely manner and, with a positive result, start treatment, which avoids many undesirable consequences. But during pregnancy, this procedure is complicated by the fact that not every technique can be used.
And before applying any method, the attending physician should familiarize himself with the patient’s medical history and medical history. Then a thorough examination is carried out with a survey of the woman in detail. The following methods are used to make an accurate diagnosis regarding expectant mothers:
- General and biochemical analysis of blood. The study will determine the number of pancreatic enzymes.
- Examination of feces and urine. In this case, the same goal is pursued.
- Ultrasound examination (ultrasound). It allows you to assess the condition of the body, as well as to detect whether there are changes in the volume, and to identify the presence of neoplasms.
Thanks to this, the doctor will be able not only to determine the causes of the disease, but also to identify the degree of manifestation of symptoms of pancreatitis during pregnancy, which will indicate the form of pancreatitis (acute or chronic).
What could be the reason…
In pregnant women, various factors influence the development of pancreatitis. Moreover, the acute stage of the disease is replaced by a chronic one in a rather short time. At the same time, as a rule, pathology develops gradually.
The main reason for the appearance of the disease in pregnant women is a violation of the diet. Characteristic symptoms may appear after eating fried and spicy foods. We all know and understand the importance of vitamins for our body. This is especially true for a woman who is preparing to become a mother. And in pregnant women, the lack of these nutrients manifests itself more often and is due to the birth of a new life. As a result of this, not only pancreatitis, but also other diseases can begin to develop.
In addition, there may be other reasons for this pathological condition:
- Duodenal ulcer.
- Gallstone disease (cholelithiasis).
- Cholecystitis.
- Hepatitis of a viral nature.
- Allergy.
- Depressive conditions.
The symptoms and treatment of pancreatitis during pregnancy should not be neglected! However, this also applies to the diet, because often the disease can occur against the background of obesity or general intoxication. Do not forget that some medications are contraindicated for pregnant women, because of which there can also be various kinds of complications. After all, they enter the intestines, and the liver, pancreas, and other digestive organs take part in their processing.
Acute inflammation can also contribute to a viral infection against a background of weakened immunity.
Symptoms
The characteristic signs of pancreatitis in pregnant women, depending on the form of the disease, can manifest themselves in different ways. If the acute stage of the disorder has begun, then the symptoms are as follows:
- The appearance of pain in the upper abdomen. Moreover, they can be so intense that a woman has to change the position of the body (and sometimes this is an uncomfortable posture) to reduce the symptom. The pains are burning, bursting and can be given to the lower back.
- Nausea and vomiting, after which the condition does not improve.
- Diarrhea, and undigested food residues can be found in feces.
- Dizziness, and severe.
- Increase in body temperature to 38 ° C.
- Increased gas formation.
- Weakness of the body, often trembling limbs.
As for chronic pancreatitis, the symptoms will be observed during an exacerbation of the disease. During the period of remission, the woman’s health condition is satisfactory, but treatment of pancreatitis during pregnancy should not be abandoned.
The signs of a chronic disease are as follows:
- Mild pain that is localized in the lower abdomen. It occurs, as a rule, after taking alcohol or harmful products.
- Nausea, but vomiting is usually not, but if it happens, then in very rare cases.
- Violations of the stool.
In addition, the patient can observe a decrease in body weight, for which there are reasons. First of all, this can occur due to digestive disorders. Another reason is the fear of pain that usually occurs after eating. Despite this, in medical practice, cases have been reported when pancreatitis in pregnant women occurred without showing any obvious signs.
Any expectant mother should understand that if severe pain is detected during meals or after eating, you should consult a doctor. This is the very first sign that something is wrong with the pancreas.
Pancreatitis treatment during pregnancy
A gastroenterologist is involved in the treatment of a disease such as pancreatitis. But before prescribing the necessary course of therapy, you need to consult an obstetrician-gynecologist. First of all, a pregnant woman needs to take care of ensuring complete physical and emotional peace for herself and her baby. After all, the baby feels great what is happening with his mother.
The fact of pregnancy complicates the treatment. After all, many drugs can not be used, since a child can be harmed, since drugs enter the bloodstream. For this reason, therapy boils down to the following:
- Reduce the amount of medication.
- Maintaining the right diet.
- Conducting therapy to improve the functioning of the liver and other organs of the digestive system.
- Decreased acidity of the stomach.
- Elimination of dysbiosis.
Infusion therapy is also carried out, during which blood-replacing solutions are introduced into the body of a pregnant woman, and in large quantities.
Drug therapy
After conducting a diagnosis during which pancreatitis will be detected, and determining the causes that caused it, a pregnant woman is recommended to reduce the number of drugs taken. And since many medications for treating pancreatitis during pregnancy cannot be used, digestive enzymes like Creon or Mezima are used. It is recommended to take them with food, washed down with mineral water without gas.
Use of "Almagel" is allowed. This drug helps to neutralize the hydrochloric acid of the stomach, reducing the activity of its juice. It is also important to improve the work of other organs that are involved in digestion. For this, future mothers are recommended herbal preparations:
- Holiver.
- Urzofalk.
- "Holosas".
With the help of these natural medicines, the accumulated bile is quickly eliminated. And during the administration of probiotics (Hilak forte, Linex, etc.), microflora can be normalized.
But as for the treatment of pancreatitis during pregnancy with folk remedies, it is better to abandon these methods. At least for the period of bearing a child. A number of medicinal plants can have a detrimental effect on the development of the child.
Diet
Here, again, everything depends on the stage of the course of the disease. In acute pancreatitis, a pregnant woman should not eat within 48 hours. However, you can drink an alkaline mineral water, a rosehip broth, slightly brewed tea. After that, a whole week, the expectant mother must adhere to a strict diet.
From the menu for the period of illness you need to exclude fried and spicy dishes, smoked meats, raw vegetables, fruits (with the exception of apples and pears). Meal should be fractional, that is, you need to eat in small portions and often during the day (3-5 times).
When the disease weakens, you can switch to a full-fledged diet. In this case, it is desirable to have the following products in the diet:
- River fish;
- low-fat cottage cheese;
- stale bread based on wheat flour;
- boiled meat.
In the treatment of pancreatitis during pregnancy, the diet plays an important role. And in addition to the above products, it is useful to use vegetable soups. But as for foods rich in carbohydrates, it is banned! This also includes sweets and foods that contribute to increased secretion of pancreatic juice.
As for the cooking method, the products should be boiled or a double boiler should be used. In this case, you can add butter and milk to food.
Surgery
As a rule, they rarely resort to surgical intervention, and even then in the event of complications that seriously threaten the life of the mother and her child. This may be during the formation of purulent masses in the abdominal cavity.
When diagnosing a future mother with pancreatitis against a background of dangerous complications, early delivery is performed. A short term abortion is performed, and in a later period (III trimester) a cesarean section is indicated.
Need to treat pancreatitis during pregnancy, or Something about the threat to the baby
According to most experts, pancreatitis does not pose a serious threat to the life of the child and in no way affects its intrauterine development. But this applies to those cases when there are no complications and pain. At the same time, if the disease is in a chronic stage, there is a risk of miscarriage during the first trimester. And by the end of pregnancy, toxicosis and other manifestations may develop that are already dangerous not only for the mother, but also for her baby.
For this reason, from the moment of successful conception, a woman should be under close and regular supervision of a doctor. By and large, concepts such as pancreatitis and pregnancy are compatible to some extent. However, it should be understood that this is relevant only with persistent remission of the disease.
But the presence of an acute form of pancreatitis during pregnancy in the early stages (up to 12 weeks) is a direct medical indication for its termination.
Can I plan pregnancy with pancreatitis?
The pancreas, even in an inflamed state, does not prevent a successful conception. Of course, if this is not a neglected form of the disease amid the depletion of many organs and their systems. But chronic pancreatitis in the absence of severe exacerbation does not in itself create problems.
At the same time, it is worth planning a pregnancy at a time when the ailment is in remission. Until then, a woman should not think about the role of mother. Even numerous reviews about the treatment of pancreatitis during pregnancy are inclined to the fact that you need to plan carefully for the birth of a child. And it is better to always consult a doctor in order to avoid many troubles.
But if this is not enough, then here are a few good reasons. Since a woman’s body is exposed to a lot of stress during pregnancy, exacerbation of existing diseases often begins, including pancreatitis.
Another argument will be even more convincing. The fact is that at the stage of transition of an exacerbation of the disease into remission, patients are prescribed a course consisting of a fairly large number of drugs. They should be taken constantly or for a certain period of time. And many of them are contraindicated for expectant mothers.
Therefore, before planning a pregnancy, you should consult a specialist. It also does not hurt to take tests and find a good doctor who will responsibly approach the observation of pregnancy.
Output
If you ignore the treatment of pancreatitis during pregnancy (in particular, this relates to the acute form of the disease and periods of exacerbation), the ailment can turn into a serious problem for a future mother, if you do not approach her decision responsibly. Moreover, it is not only about health that is being discussed, a new life is emerging inside it, the loss of which will be the most terrible and powerful blow to the psyche.