Signs & Symptoms of Uterine Rupture During Pregnancy
Although most women who do a VBAC (vaginal birth after delivery) experience a healthy pregnancy and delivery, some instances result in uterine rupture, which can have life-threatening results if not detected immediately. Knowing the signs and symptoms of this dreaded pregnancy complication could save your life and your baby's life.
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The Facts
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Uterine rupture occurs when part of your unborn baby's body protrudes into your abdominal cavity during pregnancy or labor as the result of a hole in your uterus.
Signs and Symptoms
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Possible signs of uterine rupture include sudden, intense abdominal pain and vaginal bleeding. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, any abrupt change in the baby's heart rate (on the heart rate monitor) is the most common and often the only sign of uterine rupture.
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Risk Factors
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The most significant risk factor for uterine rupture symptoms during pregnancy is having a scar from a previous cesarean delivery, which provides a point of weakness in your uterus that could potentially be torn open during a subsequent vaginal delivery.
Complications
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Uterine rupture complications range in severity depending upon how quickly your doctor discovers signs and symptoms but include maternal blood loss, loss of placenta function, loss of oxygen to the baby and death, possibly for both you and your baby.
Treatment
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Treatment for signs and symptoms of uterine rupture during pregnancy involves promptly removing the unborn baby through an emergency cesarean delivery and surgically repairing uterine damage or removing the uterus completely.
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