05/03/2023
Appendicitis is the medical term that refers to the inflammation of the appendix, a finger-like pouch that is attached to the caecum and projects towards the lower right side of the abdomen. Appendicitis can occur in individuals of any age group, including pregnant women. Developing appendicitis in pregnancy is the most common reason for requiring surgery while pregnant. Pregnant women typically experience appendicitis during the first two trimesters of pregnancy, although it can also occur in the last trimester.
It is very difficult, tricky, and challenging to diagnose acute appendicitis during pregnancy because:
• the classical symptoms of acute appendicitis (such as abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting) can be very difficult to discriminate from pregnancy-related signs and symptoms.
• Displacement of the appendix by the pregnant uterus leading to confusing physical examination signs.
• The normal increase in white blood cells that occurs during pregnancy can mask the elevated white blood cell count typically seen in appendicitis.
• Radiation exposure from imaging tests, such as a CT scan, is a concern during pregnancy, which further limits the use of imaging for diagnosing appendicitis.
Because of the difficulty in timely and accurate diagnosis of acute appendicitis in pregnancy, pregnant women are more likely to experience perforation of the appendix, adversely affecting the health of the mother and the fetus.
In this article, we will discuss every aspect of appendicitis during pregnancy in detail. Keep on reading!
Discover symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of appendicitis in pregnancy. Learn how it affects the mother and baby, and what to do if you have it.