How to handle convulsions in pregnant women

Nov 20, 2017

Common causes of convulsions during pregnancy include malaria,pregnancy-induced hypertension and pre-eclampsia.

HEALTH | PREGNANCY CONVULSIONS

Annet Nabasa, 25, was recently accompanying her expectant elder sister, Ruth, both residents of Kireka, to a clinic for antenatal care when she collapsed and was foaming at the mouth. Nabasa rushed Ruth to a clinic.


Dr Johnson Richard Kubuziga, a medical officer at Kasaanda Health Centre IV in Mubende district, says Ruth suffered convulsions.

He defines convulsions/ seizures as the physical changes that occur after an episode of abnormal electrical activity in the brain.

During convulsions, the victim may have involuntary shaking of the whole body (generalised convulsion) or a localised part of the body (focal convulsions) that are rapid with the muscles contracting and relaxing repeatedly.

He explains that symptoms that come with convulsions include a brief blackout, confusion, foaming and loss of bowel/ bladder control and sudden shaking of the body.

Other symptoms are cessation of breathing, a change in emotions, consciousness and movement.

The symptoms can last from a few seconds to 15 minutes or longer. Convulsions can be recurrent depending on the underlying cause.

Common causes of convulsions during pregnancy include malaria, epilepsy, pregnancy-induced hypertension (high blood pressure), pre-eclampsia and eclampsia.

Effects of convulsions during pregnancy
Dr Kubuziga says women with a convulsion disorder are at high risk of having a child with a birth defect. The increased risk is related to the disorder or some of the anti-convulsive drugs used to treat it.

The risks associated with convulsions during pregnancy include injury from falls, reduced oxygen to the baby during the convulsion, premature separation of the of the placenta from the uterus (placental abruption) and preterm birth. If the convulsions are severe and recurrent, the victim risks damage to the brain, kidney and liver.

Other risks are low birth weight, intra uterine growth retardation, blindness as well as death of baby and mother.

First aid
Convulsions are an emergency and the patient should be rushed to a health facility.
Before getting to the hospital, the following first aid can be done.

Protect the patient from injury, especially if she has fallen on a rough surface, check the surrounding for any hazard and remove it. Control the crowd to allow the patient to get plenty of fresh air, loosen tight clothing around the head or neck.

Prevention
Dr Kubuziga says convulsions during pregnancy can be minimised by seeking antenatal care, regular check-ups to find and prevent diseases associated with convulsion disorders.

Have a balanced diet rich in all nutrients and exercise.

Seek treatment for conditions which may accelerate or predispose one to having convulsions, for example, epilepsy.

Avoid using substances like cocaine and alcohol which increase the risk to convulsive disorders.

Avoid early pregnancies (below 18) or at a late age (40 years and above) as the
risk factors for pre-eclampsia , eclampsia, both of which are underlying causes of convulsions in pregnancy, are high.

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