Archive for the ‘pregnancy’ Category
Emergency contraceptive pills (EC pills) have more or less made sure that you do not have to run frantic in fear of an unintended pregnancy after something goes wrong during sex. Taking a morning after pill like Levonelle can keep you worry-free after the condom your partner used last night split or you forgot to take your regular birth control pill. But there are certain facts you should be aware of before using any emergency contraception method.
Emergency contraception is not an alternative to regular birth control
Regular contraceptive pills mainly contain synthetic versions of oestrogen and progestin, and are generally considered to be very effective in preventing ovulation. If you take such a hormonal pill and accidentally miss 3 doses in a row, taking an emergency contraceptive pill alone may not prevent an unintended pregnancy. You may have to stop having sex for a week to ensure ovulation doesn’t occur.
Emergency contraceptive pills do not abort pregnancy
Certain pro-life and anti-abortion groups in the US recently raised questions about how ellaOne (ulipristal acetate) works. This progestin-only EC pill is one of the newly introduced medicines and enjoys a fairly good success rate in preventing unplanned pregnancies. But the controversy was about ellaOne’s potentially harmful effects on just developed embryos. Because ellaOne gives more time than other EC pills to prevent pregnancy, it was suspected that it actually terminates pregnancy. But no conclusive evidence is found so far to suggest that ulipristal acetate is an abortion pill. Be it ellaOne, Levonelle or any other emergency birth control pill, this form of contraception works before pregnancy begins.
Emergency birth control pills do not cause birth defects
When you are already pregnant but continue to take an emergency contraceptive pill because you are unaware of it, the newborn is unlikely to be affected by any of the hormones the pill may contain. There is enough data to suggest that progestin-only pills such as ellaOne and Levonelle contain the same hormone as some of the other regular contraceptive pills and they may not interfere with the development of the foetus. Talk to a doctor for more information on this issue.
Having a problem pregnancy or not, many pregnant women choose to give birth by caesarean section. Cesare section is indeed one of the efforts to save mothers and babies in the womb. However, if often done, it could endanger health.
“The risk of hysterectomy (removal of uterus) is almost five times higher in women who had Caesarean surgery four times and a higher risk of blood transfusion if it has been six times to undergo a caesarean,” said Dr. Caroline Tirtajasa, SpOG, obstetrician from Omni, Pulomas, Jakarta.
Most doctors do not recommend that a woman undergoing a caesarean section more than three times. If she is pregnant again, it is recommended for normal vaginal childbirth. That’s because repeated cesarean risk of complications.
Risk potential is abnormal placentation (occurs in 1 in 2,500 pregnancies) or placenta accreta. Other risks of repeated cesarean section:
- broke out of uterus (uterine rupture)
This occurs because the scar on the uterus susceptible torn or destroyed. For women who experience this condition, infants at risk of death 10 times higher.
- Adhesion and scar tissue
Caesarean section will also cause scar tissue or adhesions. Some of the woman there who feel the pain of adhesion and there are also crippled. Extensive adhesions can cause other complications that cause pain, causing inconvenience.
Risk of giving birth by Caesarean section several times to make the location of the placenta is too close to the cervix. If the cervix is open, it can cause miscarriage and severe bleeding. Bleeding is very much the mother can cause anemia or require blood transfusions.
- Placenta accreta
Occurs when the placenta is attached too deep in the uterine wall. Cesarean scar may increase this risk. This condition is likely to involve damage to the uterus or other organs as well as bleeding.