Nephropathy of pregnancy: symptoms and treatment, prevention

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

During the period of bearing a baby, the mother's body must work without failure. This applies to all internal organs. However, sometimes the work of the kidneys is disrupted or the fair sex has chronic pathologies associated with the functioning of the genitourinary system.

Doctors are also concerned about the presence of nephropathy in pregnant women. Treatment in Moscow and other large cities is much more effective. If we are talking about smaller villages, then in this case, specialists cannot always provide the necessary assistance to a lady in a position. This is due to the fact that this type of ailment must be diagnosed in a timely manner. If you delay the treatment of nephropathy in pregnant women, then this is fraught with the death of the fetus, and in some situations the woman herself. Therefore, it will be useful for everyone to learn about the main symptoms of this pathology and methods of its treatment.

Causes of occurrence

Today, doctors cannot say exactly why this disease develops in the fair sex during the bearing of a baby. However, there is a theory according to which nephropathy occurs against the background of violations of certain mechanisms responsible foradaptation of the organism of the expectant mother to pregnancy. At the same time, such failures occur even at the earliest stages, in the process of implantation of the fetus into the walls of the uterus. It should be borne in mind that this process is not yet fully understood, so it is very difficult to determine exactly what exactly causes nephropathy in pregnant women.

However, it is known that due to such failures, the uterine arteries cannot develop properly. Because of this, they cannot deliver oxygen to the fetus, which leads to rather disastrous consequences. Arterial spasm occurs, resulting in hypoxia in the baby.

In addition, when nephropathy occurs in pregnant women, women almost always suffer from disorders in the functioning of the renal system. Because of this, multiple small hemorrhages occur in the parenchyma. Due to such changes, the work of the kidneys is greatly hampered.

Despite the fact that even in the most qualified clinics, nephropathy in pregnant women has not yet been studied, experts have data on risk factors for the development of this disease. First of all, we are talking about metabolic disorders. Accordingly, increased caution should be shown to those who suffer from obesity, diabetes and other pathologies. Also, the development of nephropathy can be predicted if a woman has kidney disease. Those who suffer from hypertension, diseases of the cardiovascular system and anemia should also be more careful.

It will also be useful to consider the classification of nephropathy in pregnant women and the stage of development of this dangerous pathology.

Preclinical

At the very beginning, when the gestational age has not yet exceeded 16 weeks, a woman's blood and urine tests may change. This is the first and only sign of the development of preclinical nephropathy. There are usually no other symptoms that could confuse the expectant mother. A woman can feel good and not even know about the danger that awaits her.

Puffiness

The disease becomes more obvious from about the 20th week of bearing the baby. In this case, increased swelling becomes a sign of nephropathy in pregnant women. However, this condition also manifests itself with hormonal changes in the body or due to the fact that the walls of blood vessels become too thin. All this complicates the diagnosis of the disease.

If we are talking about the accumulation of excess fluid, characteristic of nephropathy, then in this case there are several signs that clearly indicate a pathology. First of all, you should start to worry if a woman's body weight has begun to increase by more than 300 g per week. Swollen fingers are also a warning sign. If a woman took off all the rings from her hands, as they put a lot of pressure, then in this case it is worth contacting a specialist who will confirm or rule out the presence of a pathology.

With the further development of this stage of nephropathy in pregnant women, swelling also begins to affect the woman's ankles and shins. In a more severe form, swelling can be found on the thighs, abdomen, and other parts of the body. Some women begin to complain of swelling of the face. Moreover,as a rule, the unpleasant condition is aggravated closer to the second half of the day. During a night's sleep, the fluid disperses throughout the body, so in the morning it seems that the puffiness has subsided. However, with the onset of evening, the situation repeats itself.

It is worth considering that today any manifestation of puffiness is considered a reason for suspicion of nephropathy. However, some doctors often say that this is a completely normal phenomenon inherent in any lady who is in position. This statement can be considered true only if problems with the kidneys or other organs have not developed.

Hypertension

In this case, patients have high blood pressure. Developing hypertension, as a rule, is a harbinger of future kidney problems and, as a result, the development of nephropathy.

At the same time, the condition of a woman may be aggravated by heart disease. In this case, hypertension will develop much faster and can cause a lot of complications. At the same time, it is not so much the increased blood pressure itself that is dangerous, but its fluctuations. If a woman suffers from sudden surges in pressure, then this negatively affects both her he alth and the baby.

Nephropathy

When diagnosing this stage of the disease, we are talking about the development of renal failure. At this stage, it is not difficult to identify the disease. The main indicator that it is urgent to start treatment of nephropathy in a pregnant woman in the clinic is that protein has appeared in the woman's urine. In addition, at this stage, the fair sexbegin to go to the toilet in a small way much less often. The volume of urine excreted per day can reach up to 500 ml or less.

Possible Complications

Incorrect or untimely treatment of nephropathy in a pregnant woman can trigger the development of preeclampsia. In this case, the fair sex, who is in position, will have a severe headache. In addition, a woman may begin to suffer:

• For nausea and vomiting.
• Disorders of the optic nerve. Patients often complain about the appearance of flies and a veil before their eyes.
• Insomnia or, conversely, increased sleepiness.
• Memory problems.

The disease can lead to eclampsia and generalized seizures. If a woman experiences such attacks, she may lose consciousness, and in the most difficult cases, fall into a coma. As a rule, eclampsia is preceded by high blood pressure, so you should be very attentive to your he alth.

In addition, due to the onset of spasms of the arteries in the uterus, there is a high risk of developing placental insufficiency, which very quickly becomes chronic. This is fraught with the fact that the fetus will no longer receive oxygen in the volumes necessary for it. This causes hypoxia. Because of this, the baby's body will not be able to form in the right way. Ultimately, after birth, the child may suffer from a severe lag in both physical and mental development.

Important to know

Symptoms of nephropathy in pregnant women are notshould be ignored, as this dangerous ailment can provoke premature birth. In some situations, specialists have to perform an urgent caesarean section, regardless of the duration of the baby's gestation. In this case, we are already talking about saving the life of the woman herself. Additionally, nephropathy can lead to placental abruption and profuse bleeding.

Diagnosis

To exclude the possibility of developing this dangerous disease, pregnant women are advised to take urine tests every 2 weeks until the 30th week of gestation. After that, you need to visit a doctor at least 1 time per week. Only if a woman regularly takes urine for tests, it will be possible to notice any abnormalities in the work of the kidneys and the development of nephropathy in time.

However, it is worth considering that in order for the readings to be accurate, a woman must monitor her weight and note any changes in blood pressure readings.

Treatment

Doctors are required to treat nephropathy in a pregnant woman only in a hospital setting. This is due to the fact that with this pathology there is a huge risk of developing serious, and most importantly, sudden complications. Therefore, round-the-clock medical supervision is an important component of the correct approach to treating the patient.

The treatment of this disease requires strict control of blood pressure and diuresis.

If we talk about the treatment itself, it takes place in several stages. First of all, antihypertensive therapy is carried out. It includestaking drugs that can bring blood pressure back to normal. At the next stage, infusion treatment begins. It involves taking funds that can improve the hydrodynamics and coagulation of the blood. The third stage of therapy includes taking anticoagulants. These drugs prevent the formation of blood clots. After that, it is necessary to stabilize the uteroplacental blood flow and try to cure possible complications.

Difficult cases

In some situations, the doctor may recommend a caesarean section, artificially induce labor or terminate the pregnancy. This may be required if the treatment has not given any results or the nephropathy is at a too advanced stage. Also, emergency measures are often resorted to with a clear delay in the development of the fetus, as well as with bleeding and other complications that may pose a danger to a woman.

If the treatment gives a positive result, and the woman's condition is assessed as satisfactory, then in this case there is every chance to wait for the birth and bear a he althy baby.

Features of nephropathy

As mentioned earlier, when this disease is detected, a woman is necessarily placed in a hospital. Only under these conditions, doctors will be able to monitor the state of the kidneys and other organs.

At the first stage, specialists conduct an examination, ultrasound diagnostics and CTG of the fetus. If the disease was diagnosed in the initial stage or in a mild form, then in this case the expectant mother will have to stay in the hospital for no more than 10days.

If a more serious stage of nephropathy has developed, then in this case, the length of a woman's stay in the hospital walls is determined by her state of he alth and how effective the treatment is. In some situations, women in labor have to stay in the hospital until delivery.

You need to understand that for high-quality diagnostics and proper treatment, the hospital must have the appropriate equipment. In small towns and villages, there is practically no opportunity to receive the necessary assistance. Therefore, it is better for a pregnant woman to treat nephropathy in Moscow or the nearest large settlement. Hospitals there are equipped with more modern units.

Prevention of nephropathy in pregnant women

If the treatment gave a positive result and the patient was discharged from the hospital, this does not mean that she can relax. It is important to prevent the recurrence of the disease.

For this, it is very important to limit yourself from any stressful situations. If a woman is experiencing nervousness and depression, then you can start taking mild sedatives, such as motherwort tincture.

In addition, a pregnant woman should be outdoors more often, better away from a polluted city. Thanks to oxygen, blood circulation will improve and the organs will work normally.

Also, experts recommend sticking to specialized diets. A woman should drink as much water as possible (at least 2 liters per day) and eat vegetable and animal protein. It would be helpful to include in yourdiet meat and fish dishes, milk and other dairy products.

In conclusion

In addition, during pregnancy and after childbirth, it is recommended to periodically check the condition of the kidneys. If a woman has already had problems, then relapses are quite possible. Therefore, it is better not to take risks and undergo examinations.