Jun 20 2008
Mismanaged Chronic Pain Control in Pregnancy
Pain in pregnant women is very hard to control. It has a very real chance of being mismanaged due to the ever present struggle of the needs of the mother versus the needs of the child. The pain that is there during pregnancy can cause depression during the gestation, and it can contribute to postpartum depression as well. Other psychological effects can be seen in some cases.
Being pregnant and having chronic pain can increase the risk of immobility. The person sits or lays more, they lower their activity level, and they just don’t go as fast as before. This increase in the amount of time spent reclining or in bed can lead to DVT (deep vein thrombosis), a dangerous situation of leg blood clots that can lead to strokes and heart attacks.
The pain can lead to the woman being in the hospital longer, and that added time stay can lead to the risk of developing hospital bourne infections. Other complications from this decrease in movement and added pain can result in postpartum carpal tunnel syndrome, nerve entrapment, thoracic pain, and degenerating fibroids.
See the Pregnant Pause for pregnancy blogging.
