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Endoscopy Pregnancy



 Submitted by Medical Health Test Team on May 21, 2010
Endoscopy During Pregnancy

An endoscopy is a procedure which is used to look inside the body and is ordered when symptoms of some problem occur. These symptoms are related to some condition inside the body and can be further understood by studying the condition of the organ or area of the body through sight. The procedure uses an endoscope which is a device with lighting and magnifying lenses at one end and a viewing device at the other end. Some endoscopes are connected directly to a computer or television screen which may even allow the patient to view as the procedure is being conducted. An endoscope is particularly useful when understanding why a person may be suffering from bleeding in the intestinal system. Sometimes this bleeding can be uncontrolled and viewing the area will allow for a diagnosis which can then be followed by treatment. There are two types of endoscopes, one being rigid and one being flexible. Rigid endoscopes are likely to cause more discomfort to a patient but are useful if other surgical equipment needs to be passed into the area along with the scope. Flexible scopes are used when the procedure is being used only to view the area and in order to cause less discomfort. Flexible scopes may also be used during follow up procedures in order to check the extent to which a problem has increased or has subsided.  Patients are often sedated during an endoscopy procedure.

For pregnant women, an endoscopy procedure may cause some problems due to the physical state of the woman. There are different guidelines for an endoscopy procedure on a pregnant woman when compared to the same procedure on one who is not pregnant. Firstly, the procedure should be avoided if possible, especially during the first trimester of pregnancy. This is because of possible complications with sedation. Secondly, the woman must lie on her left side rather than flat or on the right side as this avoids pressure being applied on her stomach and on certain important blood vessels.

Before the procedure the condition should be considered carefully in order to make sure that it is absolutely necessary for the procedure to be performed. It is important to try to use as little sedation as possible in order to prevent any excessive sedation which will affect the fetus. The fetus should also be tested for a heartbeat before and after the procedure to make sure that there is no effect due to the procedure. Finally, the procedure should be as quick as possible.
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