Bleeding in pregnant women dangerous- Gynaecologist

A consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist, Dr Moses Fache, says bleeding in pregnancy is one of the leading causes of maternal mortality.

Fache, of NISA Premier Hospital , Jabi, Abuja, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Friday.

He said that bleeding in pregnancy was abnormal as it threatens the well-being of both mother and the foetus.

He therefore, stressed the need to treat such a condition urgently, to arrest the cause.

“Bleeding in pregnancy and abnormal bleeding during and after birth signify abnormality that should be treated urgently.”

According to him, bleeding early in pregnancy is referred to as “threatened miscarriage” , meaning that the woman was at risk of losing the pregnancy.

He explained that such a situation was caused by abnormalities in the developing fetus.

“Some of these abnormalities cannot be prevented but in some cases, avoiding drugs known to cause fetal developmental abnormalities and exposure to heavy radiations is seriously advised.

“Febrile illnesses like malaria and urinary tract infection are also known to cause bleeding in early pregnancy.

“Malaria can be prevented by avoiding mosquito bites and using drugs known to attack malaria in pregnancy.”

He further said that pregnancy located outside the normal site of implantation in the womb could cause bleeding in pregnancy.

Another cause of bleeding in pregnancy he identified was the abnormal location of placenta within the uterus or premature separation of the placenta before the baby was born.

He said that such abnormalities were caused by accidental blows to the pregnant woman.

The consultant noted that the use of drugs could cause the separation of the placenta and lead to bleeding.

“Bleeding can result from delivery by caesarean section or as a complication or previous caesarean section.

“Having caesarean delivery at a centre with high standards can minimize such bleeding occurrences.”

Fache explained that bleeding from the genital tract of a woman after child birth was normal and would stop a couple of weeks after delivery.

He further added that infections of the uterus could make a woman to bleed.

The consultant gave an assurance that most of the causes of bleeding in pregnancy were readily preventable with good quality obstetrician care.