Appendicitis is a prevalent medical condition that frequently affects adults. If the inflammation is severe, the doctor will advise surgical intervention to remove the affected organ. As a result, if a pregnant woman has an inflamed appendix, should she have surgery?

What is Appendicitis?

Appendicitis is an infection of the appendix organ. The appendix, also known as the "worm tuft," is an organ that looks like a finger-sized pocket and comes out of the large intestine and attaches to the lower right side of the abdomen.

Timely and proper treatment of inflammation is necessary to prevent its progression into severe inflammation and potential organ rupture.

Appendicitis occurs when an obstruction, such as a tiny or hard material, blocks the appendix. This obstruction leads to the development of infection or inflammation, resulting in the formation of pus. The appendix induces severe pain and necessitates surgery in cases of severe inflammation.

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Appendicitis in Pregnant Women

While uncommon, pregnant women may experience appendicitis. According to the Verywell Family, approximately 0.1% of pregnant women may have appendicitis. Typically, this situation manifests during the second trimester of pregnancy.

A significant challenge in managing appendicitis in pregnant women is the delayed identification of the condition. The physiological changes that occur in pregnant women complicate the diagnosis of appendicitis. The symptoms that manifest are sometimes prone to being misinterpreted as common pregnancy symptoms. Diagnosing appendicitis is typically more straightforward during the first and second trimesters of pregnancy.

Delays in diagnosis in pregnant women can raise their risk of appendix complications including appendicitis perforation. This condition has the potential to elevate the risk of miscarriage in pregnant women.

Other symptoms of appendicitis that pregnant women may experience include:

• Pain in the lower right abdomen
• Pain in the upper part of the stomach or upper right
• Pelvic pain
• Pain under the ribs
• Pain when urinating
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea and vomiting
• Fever

The doctor will conduct an ultrasound examination to help in the diagnosis. If the doctor suspects appendicitis during the third trimester, they might recommend performing an MRI scan or CT scan to verify the diagnosis.

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Treatment of Appendicitis in Pregnant Women

It is necessary to adjust the treatment of appendicitis in pregnant women in accordance with the patient's overall health status, gestational age, and the severity of the inflammation. Doctors may administer antibiotics to alleviate inflammation in cases of moderate severity. This treatment does not affect pregnancy, and the mother is still capable of giving birth to a healthy baby.

In the event that the inflammatory condition is severe enough, the doctor will suggest a laparoscopic appendectomy, which is a surgical procedure that involves the removal of the appendix through the abdominal wall. Laparoscopy is a surgical procedure that involves the making of a tiny incision or hole in the stomach. In contrast to open surgery, this approach is less harmful and more secure.

As the gestational age increases, the possibility of requiring incisions during laparoscopy also increases due to the larger size of the uterus, which makes the procedure more challenging. Fetal monitoring is necessary when surgery is conducted beyond 24 weeks of gestation, as the risk of premature contractions caused by laparoscopy rises with advancing gestational age.

Therefore, in order to speed up the healing process, it is important that pregnant women get enough of rest after having a laparoscopy. The following are some things that pregnant women should do throughout the period of recovery:

• Avoid strenuous activities
• Avoid lifting heavy objects
• Eat nutritious food
• Perform additional examinations if needed

Prompt treatment of appendicitis during pregnancy is essential to prevent the possibility of complications. The doctor will prescribe a course of treatment based on the severity of appendicitis in pregnant women. If you need medical advice or consultation, you can either visit a doctor or make use of the consultation features that are available in the Ai Care application by downloading the Ai Care application from the App Store or Play Store.

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