High Risk Pregnancy & Hernia
According to Dr. Marianne Legato, medical advisor to Ladies' Home Journal, it's common to have discomfort and slight pain at the site of a hernia during pregnancy, but intense pressure or change in shape, color or size may indicate a need for surgery.
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Definition
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Legato says a hernia may occur when abdominal muscles tear or stretch, as is common during pregnancy, resulting in the intestines poking through the weakened area. Hernias may be visible as a stomach bulge but seem to disappear when lying down.
Location
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Hernias are most often located in the middle abdominal region, but more-serious femoral hernias can develop in the upper thigh, cutting cut off the blood supply to the intestine. According to Legato, they're more common in women.
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Precautions
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Pregnant women with hernias should support the hernia site when coughing or sneezing, suggests Hernia.org, and avoid carrying excess weight or straining during bowel movements, which could enlarge the hernia. A diet high in fiber can prevent constipation.
Surgery
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If the hernia poses no health threat, a doctor may recommend gently pushing it back into place behind the abdominal muscle wall, Legato says. Surgery, if unavoidable, should occur only during the second trimester, says Hernia.org.
Delivery
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High-risk women should discuss delivery options with their medical provider. A cesarean section may be required to avoid enlargement of the hernia during the strain of a vaginal delivery, reports OBGYN.net.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit pregnant woman image by TEA from Fotolia.com
