Pregnan

Ethel Aminateh

Literature review on Complications of pregnancy

Peer Reviewed Articles

1, Amanuel, T. G., Regan, A. K., Malacova, E., M, L. M., Ball, S., Foo, D., & Pereira, G. (2018). Effects of interpregnancy interval on pregnancy complications: Protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ Open, 8(8) doi:http://dx.doi.org.ezproxy.pgcc.edu/10.1136/bmjopen-2018-025008

This article attempts to provide an insight into the time between two different pregnancies which the author referred to as interpregnancy interval. The article suggests that the length of time between one pregnancy and another plays an instrumental role in determining the effect of the pregnancy both to the mother and the baby. The author further explains the fact that both short spacing and long spacing between one pregnancy can cause complications such as premature rupture of membrane, placenta previa and placenta abruption. On the same note long spacing between pregnancy can lead to pregnancy dystocia and increased risk of pre-eclampsia. Considering the context within which this study was conducted, the empirical study is limited in the subject selected for the study such as 18 to 23 age groups. However, this study forms the basis of research on the complications of pregnancies such as gestational diabetes, gestational hypertension, placental previa and placenta abruption.

Gurol-Urganci, I., Cromwell, D. A., Edozien, L. C., Smith, G. C., Onwere, C., Mahmood, T. A., Templeton, A., & van der Meulen, J. H. (2011). Risk of placenta previa in second birth after first birth cesarean section: a population-based study and meta-analysis. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 11,https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A275012525/AONE?u=pgcc_main&sid=summon&xid=6b5f14

This article attempts to establish a distinction between the rate of pregnancy complication such as placenta previa rate between women who had their first baby birth through cesarean section and those that gave birth via vaginal delivery. The results show that women who gave birth to their first baby via cesarean section were at increase rate of having placenta previa during their second birth than those that gave birth vaginally. The article further explains some of the complications of pregnancy the stemmed from placenta previa to be increased risk for post-partum hemorrhage, preterm labor and delivery, maternal and neonatal death as vital concerns for women. The results of the study suggested that advanced maternal age, previous placenta previa and birth spacing below one year increases the chances of placenta previa. Despite the extensive research conducted on the role of placenta previa depending on the interpregnancy spacing, the study limits it research on placenta previa without the inclusion of other pregnancy complications such as placenta abruption and pre-eclampsia. Therefore, this research further explores the effects of other complications on pregnancy.

Stock, S. J. E., & Norman, J. E. (2019). Medicines in pregnancy. F1000Research, 8 doi:http://dx.doi.org.ezproxy.pgcc.edu/10.12688/f1000research.17535.

The key idea of this article centers on the impact of certain medications on pregnancy since most medications that are used during pregnancy do not have enough testing and right dosage for pregnant women. The article also contests the exclusion of pregnant women in clinical trials that are geared toward pregnancy complication issues and certain medications that are used on pregnant women. According to the article, the exclusion of pregnant women does not generate a positive impact when medication trials and usage policies are established. Examples of such medications include anti-depressant medications, methadone, tocolytics, clomiphene, progesterone and mood disorder medications are greatly significant in shaping the pregnancy outcomes for women. It is within this framework that this article will be very helpful in discussing the way forward for pregnant women with complications.

Kitzmiller, J. L., Block, J. M., Brown, F. M., Catalano, P. M., Conway, D. L., Coustan, D. R., . . . Kirkman, M. S. (2008). Managing preexisting diabetes for pregnancy: Summary of evidence and consensus recommendations for care. Diabetes Care, 31(5), 1060-79. doi:http://dx.doi.org.ezproxy.pgcc.edu/10.2337/dc08-9020

This article focuses on the management strategies of pre-pregnancy diabetes and its possible impact on pregnancy outcome. The author further specifies the need for pre-pregnancy medical checkup and evaluation to figure out preexisting conditions such as diabetes, cardiac issues, celiac diseases and gestational complications. The article also outlined certain forms of evaluation that should be made for pregnant women. Such evaluation should include the medical history, patient’s eating pattern, their psychological state, laboratory testing and setting up treatment plans. The author of this article also specified that pregnancy complications such as spontaneous abortion can be prevented by obtaining a pre-pregnancy glycemic level that is stable. Checking the- patient’s glycemic levels are essential for successful pregnancy outcome and the prevention of certain complications related to spontaneous abortion. From this background information, the article will be a great asset to this research study because it provides a comprehensive recommendation for the method of addressing certain complications of pregnancy such as spontaneous abortion.

Thackeray, J. (2013). Intimate partner violence: why abuse of women is a pediatric issue. Contemporary Pediatrics, 30(5), 6+. https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A456573813/AONE?u=pgcc_main&sid=summon&xid=d21b2220

This article explores the impact of intimate partner violence on women and children. The author attempts to expatiate on the role that intimate partner violence at home can play in shaping the attitude of a child. The main concern here is that most pediatricians often ignored the risk associated with such treatment. The exposure of children to intimate partner violence has negatively impacted the behavior of children. This study clearly demonstrates the importance of looking at children’s behavior from dimension of home violence. Therefore, this research study goes beyond making conclusions that do not help in fixing relations between parties involved.