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Just thinking about the question of hip/belly pain.
- This could be as a result of a growing uterus stretching the broad and round ligaments.
- You need to rule out the presence of infection from a UTI, perhaps advancing to the kidneys as in pyelonephritis.
- Vaginitis, chorioamnionitis, candidiasis (thrush) need to be excluded.
- Also constipation causes referred pain, (very common in pregnancy, esp in women taking iron supplements) as does appendicitis and any type of irritable bowel condition. Increased Progesterone levels tend to lead to decreased muscle contractility.
- Uterine anomalies may also cause the aching, like a bicornuate uterus, adhesions and fibroids, ovarian cysts and any congenital malformations of the Mullerian tract that the women may indeed not even know that she has. Did she start off with a retroverted uterus? What was her menstrual cycle like?
- Could it be hormonally caused? Could it indeed be preterm labor or a uterine response to fetal movements?
- Could it also be a mechanical type problem of a gravid uterus 'leaning' on surrounding nerve areas?
- It would be handy to ask the woman if anything she does exacerbates it or makes it better and investigate it accordingly.
I'm sure there are many more possibilities given the anatomy of the area, but these should give you something to go on with.
Gayle
-------Original Message-------
Date: Tuesday, 27 May 2003 6:00:46 AM
Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] 2 questions about pregnancy
Nat,
labour is generally shorter in a second labour.I usually feel fairly
confident telling mums it will be in the vicinity of half the lst labour
given there are no factors that slow it down.( this doesnt follow for 3rd
labours from 2nd though) It can often be shorter with an epidural ( because
pain perceived is decreased and the the pelvic muscles are relaxed) but can
also be longer ( contraction strength often diminishes for a while but that
in itself is usually countered by the use of a synto infusion - hence the
cascade of intervention. + 2nd stage can often be longer if there is no urge
to push ). I dont feel there is a 'safe' answer to give that she could
depend upon. Epidurals are for reducing pain, not reducing the length of
labour. They reduce pain and increase intervention.
Her hip/belly pain could be ligament pain which occurs because of the
stretching uterus. they tend to stay tender until the end of the pregnancy.
Try a little heat.
hope this helps.
Robin
----- Original Message -----
From: "nat j" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Monday, May 26, 2003 10:33 PM
Subject: [ozmidwifery] 2 questions about pregnancy
>
> Hello, my name is Nat and im a direct entry midwifery student and i
> had two questions asked of me which i could not answer with any certainty
by
> a pregnant woman and i was hoping for a little push in the right
direction,
> or an answer.
>
> They were;
>
> Whether labor is generally longer or shorter with an epidural for a second
> baby, or not? and
>
> What would be the cause of the child bearing woman's severe, almost period
> pain like, cramping below her pregnant belly that goes out towards the hip
> region?
>
> I was thinking that it could be her uterus streaching, but with the pain
> extending to her hips i wasn't sure and wanted another opinion
>
> Any help would be greatly appreciated, Thankyou.
>
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