Pregnancy - Emergency Consultation

During the course of pregnancy a gravida consult

s obstetrician regularly as scheduled.  But sometimes there can be problems which necessitate the gravida to consult immediately.  The common problems which need to be attended to by the obstetrician are:

• Abdominal pain:  Any pain in the abdomen, particularly in the lower part, may be an early symptom of abortion or delivery.  There can also be other causes, first and foremost, the possibility of pain related to causes in pregnancy should be ruled out.  Some serious conditions in pregnancy which can compromise health of the mother and fetus also present with pain and may need hospitalization and appropriate management.
• Bleeding:  Any vaginal bleeding any time during the course of pregnancy needs immediate attention by the obstetrician.  The cause could be an impending abortion or delivery or certain serious conditions like bleeding from the placenta which is low down in the uterus or its premature separation.
• Watery discharge:  Breaking of bag of membranes which holds the fetus will cause sudden gush of watery discharge.  Some times it can be slow constant or occasional leak.  Depending on the duration of pregnancy and the amount of loss of fluid (amniotic fluid) treatment is instituted.
• Swelling of the body:  Sudden onset of swelling of feet, puffiness of face and stiffness of fingers could be due to increased blood pressure.  Early consultation with the obstetrician to identify the cause of swelling of the body will help in proper treatment to optimize maternal and fetal outcome in pregnancy.

• Severe headache, blurring of vision, pain in the upper part of the abdomen, vomiting, and convulsions could be presenting symptoms of high blood pressure which require immediate attention by the obstetrician.

These are important conditions when a gravida has to consult obstetrician earliest for better health of self and fetus.