Introduction
Various abnormal symptoms can be typical during pregnancy; vaginal bleeding and pain in the stomach are among them. Despite the relative abundance of these signs, it is vital for women to consult a medical professional when these problems occur. This report presents a reflection on a pregnant patient having these symptoms. It discusses the diagnosis and treatment, as well as suggests the implications of this case.
Placental Abruption in Pregnancy
A 25-year-old female has presented to the office with complaints of vaginal bleeding and abdominal pain. The woman has been 26 weeks pregnant; it is her first pregnancy. The patient reports that she has no prior history of such symptoms and her family history is insignificant for this case. Although bleeding in early pregnancy is common, the presence of this symptom on the second trimester may be a sign of a serious condition (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 2016; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2018).
Placental abruption was the primary diagnosis for this patient; its choice was determined by the fact that the woman has abdominal pain, which is not typical for placenta previa. In addition, she had no history of smoking or drug abuse, the blood pressure was normal and there were no health conditions. Tharpe, Farley, and Jordan (2017) note that it is vital to consider ectopic pregnancy when vaginal bleeding during pregnancy occurs.
However, the patient was 26 weeks pregnant; this condition could not have been present at this stage. To confirm the diagnosis, I performed an ultrasound examination to determine the location of the placenta. In addition, I have done a complete blood count (CBC) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) tests along with clotting studies (Schmidt & Raines, 2018).
As, currently, placental abruption cannot be treated with medications or surgical interventions, the patient was advised to stay in the hospital until it would be possible to induce labor. Although the woman’s child’s heart rate was normal and the tests suggested that the abruption was mild, this measure was vital to prevent adverse health outcomes for the fetus. Follow-up care included the assessment of the child’s state and, if necessary, the prescriptions of medications that would help the fetus’s lungs mature. Moreover, the patient was warned about possible risks associated with the condition to eliminate occurrence in the future.
The implications of the patient’s health problem are that it is vital for pregnant women to consult a medical professional even if their symptoms are common. Although placental abruption does not occur during the majority of pregnancies, it is vital to know its signs because a condition can pose a severe threat to the mother and her child. In addition, it is necessary to mention that the patient’s symptoms may be associated with other serious conditions and can be interpreted differently at the first, second, and third trimesters of pregnancy. Thus, vaginal bleeding and abdominal pain during pregnancy are relatively common but require professional assistance.
Conclusion
Although vaginal bleeding is considered a common symptom during pregnancy, it can be a sign of a severe condition, such as placental abruption. This case shows that such a health state requires immediate professional assistance and monitoring of the mother and her child. Placental abruption is one of the many conditions associated with vaginal bleeding and abdominal pain, so it is vital for women to seek help when these signs occur.
References
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2016). Bleeding during pregnancy. Web.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2018). During pregnancy. Web.
Schmidt, P., & Raines, D. (2018). Placental abruption (abruptio placentae). Web.
Tharpe, N. L., Farley, C., & Jordan, R. G. (2017). Clinical practice guidelines for midwifery & women’s health (5th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Publishers.