Pregnancy in Apinal Cord Injured Women: Risks, Prevention and Complications

• Main Author: Matias, Ana Catarina; Serviço de Medicina Física e de Reabilitação do Hospital de Braga, Braga, Portugal
• Publication Date: 2014
• Other Authors: Santos, Joana Machado; Serviço de Medicina Física e de Reabilitação do Hospital de Braga, Braga, Portugal, Cerqueira, Maria Emília; Assistente Hospitalar Graduada de Medicina Física e de Reabilitação - Serviço de Medicina Física e de Reabilitação do Hospital de Braga, Braga, Portugal
• Format: Article
• Language: por
• Source: Repositórios Científicos de Acesso Aberto de Portugal (RCAAP)
• Download full: https://doi.org/10.25759/spmfr.145
• topic: Delivery, Obstetric; Pregnancy Complications; Spinal Cord Injuries; Complicações na Gravidez; Gravidez; Lesões na Medula Espinhal; Parto Obstétrico

There are no predictable hormonal or gynecologic changes that impair pregnancy following a spinal cord injury in women. Female fertility generally remains intact postinjury. When desired, these women should be able to choose motherhood, integrated into the whole rehabilitation program and as a part of social integration.The main medical problems associated with pregnancy in spinal cord injured women are urinary tract infections, neurogenic bladder and bowel management, anemia, deep venous thrombosis, pressure ulcers, spasticity, hypotension, premature labor and, in some cases, respiratory problems and autonomic dysreflexia.Labor and delivery present specific changes due to motor and sensory alterations that can be different according to the level and type of injury. There is a considerable risk of autonomic dysreflexia in women with lesions at or above T6, which should be avoided with epidural anesthesia.Pregnant women with spinal cord injury should attend multidisciplinary antenatal care, in a tertiary hospital, so that complications are promptly recognized and treated. Therefore, the women can have a secure pregnancy that culminates in the birth of healthy children.