What tests should be done for pregnancy complicated with intestinal obstruction

Pregnancy complicated with intestinal obstruction can cause pregnant women to experience symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, etc., which are similar to the symptoms of intestinal obstruction in the non-pregnant period. This is a serious complication during pregnancy. If not discovered and treated in time, it will lead to intestinal ischemia and necrosis, and may also cause the death of the pregnant woman or fetus. If pregnancy complicated with intestinal obstruction is discovered, surgical treatment should be performed immediately to avoid delaying the best time for treatment. Why does intestinal obstruction occur during pregnancy? What tests can be used to detect this?

Intestinal obstruction during pregnancy is a serious complication for both mother and child. Intestinal obstruction can not only cause changes in the anatomy and function of the intestine itself, but can also lead to systemic physiological disorders. Due to the enlargement of the uterus during pregnancy, the differential diagnosis of intestinal obstruction during pregnancy is difficult. In addition, both doctors and patients have concerns about radiological examinations, anesthesia, and surgery, which often delays diagnosis and surgery and leads to an increase in maternal and perinatal mortality. The symptoms of intestinal obstruction during pregnancy are basically similar to those of intestinal obstruction during non-pregnancy, but the enlarged uterus in late pregnancy occupies the abdominal cavity, the intestinal loops move to the back or sides of the uterus, or the abdominal wall relaxes after delivery, which may make the physical signs unclear and atypical.

Intestinal obstruction is a common acute abdomen that occurs when intestinal contents are blocked from passing through the intestine. Causes of intestinal obstruction during pregnancy include:

(1) As the enlarged uterus squeezes the intestinal loops, asymptomatic intestinal adhesions may be compressed or twisted, resulting in intestinal obstruction.

(2) Because the root of the mesentery is congenitally too short, intestinal peristalsis is restricted when pushed by the gradually enlarging uterus; excessive traction and squeezing can also cause the small intestine to twist, causing the intestinal cavity to narrow, hindering the smooth passage of intestinal contents, and causing mechanical intestinal obstruction.

The above author has introduced some relevant information about pregnancy, hoping to be helpful to some expectant mothers.