Crisis management in pregnant women you need to know

Preeclampsia is a condition characterized by an increase in blood pressure in pregnant women. If not treated immediately, this condition can develop more severely into eclampsia. In the condition of eclampsia, high blood pressure experienced by pregnant women can cause seizures.

Convulsions in pregnant women are a serious condition, and can endanger both the baby and the mother. Therefore, it is important for you to understand further about the management of seizures that are appropriate and safe for pregnant women, as well as fetuses.

Why are seizures in pregnant women dangerous?

Convulsions in pregnant women can be dangerous for both mother and baby in the womb. Because when seizures, oxygen supply to the fetus can experience a drastic decrease. In addition, seizures can also damage nerves in the brain of pregnant women.

The damage can cause strokes, bleeding in the brain, brain swelling, to herniation of the brain. Seizures that occur during pregnancy also increase the risk of epilepsy in mothers, as well as decreased cognitive abilities, such as memory problems.

Therefore, seizure management in pregnant women needs to get fast and appropriate treatment. The following are the characteristics of seizures in pregnant women that you need to recognize.

Pregnant women who experience seizures, initially will look like a person who is unconscious.
During the first 15 to 30 seconds of seizures, the whole body will become stiff due to muscle contraction.
Contractions will also occur in the vocal cords, so that seizure pregnant women will look like crying.
The body can turn blue, if breathing difficulties occur.
During the next 30 to 45 seconds, the body will spasm with a regular rhythm. During this time, people with seizures can bite the tongue or unconsciously urinate.
Seizures generally occur for 1 to 2 minutes.

If there are pregnant women who experience the characteristics as above, then proper handling needs to be done immediately. In severe conditions, seizures in pregnant women can cause death of both the mother and the baby in the womb.

Seizure Management in Pregnant Women

Pregnant women who experience seizures should be immediately taken to the hospital. The doctor will take steps to immediately lower blood pressure and prepare procedures so that pregnant women can give birth soon.

1. Provision of Magnesium Sulfate

In patients with severe eclampsia and preeclampsia, the doctor will give magnesium sulfate through an IV. By some doctors, administration of magnesium sulfate is also carried out during the process of giving birth, even though the preeclampsia experienced is still relatively mild.

2. Treatment in ICU and Maternity Units

Provision of this drug continues for 24 to 48 hours after the seizure occurs, and can be done in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and maternity units. During magnesium administration, pregnant women will be monitored closely.

Provision of magnesium sulfate can only be done by a doctor. Therefore, pregnant women who receive this drug can overdose, especially if you have a history of kidney dysfunction.

Seizure management in pregnant women must be done quickly, but still be careful, so as not to endanger the safety of both mother and baby. Do not neglect to regularly check your womb, so that early signs of preeclampsia can be detected immediately, before getting worse.