Treatment for brown discharge in pregnancy

Features of treatment for brown discharge during pregnancy depending on the causes of the pathology

The appearance of any physical discomfort and suspicious symptoms of malaise during pregnancy requires the attention of a specialist. And not only for the peace of mind of the expectant mother. Thus, vaginal bleeding, even the most insignificant, the discharge in which looks like spotting, can pose a threat of miscarriage or death of the fetus in the womb. But since the causes of such bleeding can be different, then treatment for brown discharge during pregnancy is carried out using different methods.

How to proceed?

The appearance of a symptom indicating that there is bleeding in the depths of the female body near the growing fetus certainly frightens pregnant women greatly. And since the nervous system is quite sensitive to such news during this period, we are often talking about real panic, which only complicates the situation. After all, strong worries about completely normal discharge often become a real reason for the threat of termination of pregnancy.

And even if this symptom occurs in the second trimester of pregnancy, when it can only indicate existing pathologies, panic will not be the best friend of the expectant mother. In most cases, doctors manage to save the pregnancy, but the woman should assist them in this, remaining calm and hoping for the best.

What should a pregnant woman do if she is too young to give birth and finds brown discharge on her underwear or pad? The main thing is not to panic, but you can’t ignore this symptom either. If the woman doesn’t experience any other unpleasant sensations besides scanty discharge, she can tell her doctor about the symptom that worries her by phone or go to see a gynecologist. Until then, you should try to calm down and limit physical activity. There is no need for bed rest in this situation, but the expectant mother should still take care of herself.

But if there is intense discharge, combined with nagging pain in the lower abdomen, nausea, vomiting, you should not hesitate. In such a situation, it would be wiser to immediately call an ambulance, rather than risk going to the doctor on your own or waiting for the local doctor's office hours. The fact is that the combination of such symptoms clearly indicates a pathology, and in this case, doctors will insist on inpatient treatment.

The future fate of the pregnant woman will be decided by the obstetrician-gynecologist who is observing her, who, after carrying out diagnostic measures, will be able to say exactly why the discharge appeared and whether there is a need for outpatient or inpatient treatment.

This is how it should be in theory, but in reality, a visit to the doctor about spotting in the early stages in the vast majority of cases ends with the prescription of hormonal drugs containing progesterone, the most popular of which are "Duphaston" and "Utrozhestan". Most women who have given birth are familiar with them. In this way, doctors play it safe, because it cannot be ruled out that pain syndrome, indicating a threat of miscarriage, may appear somewhat later.

The prescription of progesterone preparations is due to the fact that in the early stages, most miscarriages occur precisely due to insufficient production of this female hormone, which is important for maintaining pregnancy.

According to statistics, 1-2 women out of 10 have increased secretion of male hormones (hyperandrogenism), caused by a malfunction of the endocrine system, which is also considered a risk factor for miscarriage in the early stages of pregnancy. In this case, treatment for brown discharge during pregnancy will consist of prescribing corticosteroids that can balance the woman's hormonal background. Such drugs include, first of all, "Dexamethasone", "Prednisolone", "Metipred". However, it is not worth abusing such treatment, so steroids are prescribed mainly with proven dysfunction of the adrenal cortex, established by an endocrinologist.

By the way, "Dexamethasone" can be prescribed to a future mother in the last months of pregnancy if there is a risk of premature birth. It is believed that the drug gives an impetus to the accelerated development of the child and the maturation of its lungs, so that in case of an emergency the baby can breathe on its own after birth.

These same medications are used as antiallergic agents in cases of increased activity of the mother's immune system and a high probability of Rh-conflict. They inhibit the synthesis of enzymes and substances that provoke immune reactions. This is very important if the mother's body, for some reason, begins to perceive the fetus in the womb as a foreign body and tries to get rid of it.

When the diagnosis of "detachment of the ovum" is made in the early stages of pregnancy, the main treatment for this pathology is considered to be maximum rest and adherence to a diet that prevents intestinal dysfunction (constipation or diarrhea, flatulence), which is very dangerous with this disease. The expectant mother will also have to abstain from sexual intercourse. Moreover, this restriction can last for the entire pregnancy, because the risk of repeated detachment or its progression remains during the following months.

In addition to progesterone preparations, when the ovum detaches, accompanied by an increase in uterine tone, pregnant women are prescribed oral or intravenous antispasmodics (No-Shpa, Magnesium sulfate or magnesium, Ginipral, Partusisten, etc.) and vitamins that will support the body of the mother and fetus during this difficult time for them.

In case of brown discharge that occurs during pregnancy and lasts more than 2-3 days, hemostatic agents are also prescribed (Dicynone, Tranescam, Exacil, Vikasol, etc.). The need for such drugs is due to the fact that the bleeding has not stopped and can intensify at any moment. And such a circulatory disorder is dangerous for both the baby and its mother, leading to the development of anemia and even death of the patient.

If the threat of termination of pregnancy is discussed in the 2nd trimester, the treatment will be completely different. It is important to remember that any discharge at this stage should be considered pathological, but the possibility of preserving the pregnancy in such a situation exists.

In the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, placental abruption, which often occurs against the background of placenta presentation, poses a particular danger to the expectant mother and her baby. Precautions in this case are the same as for placental abruption in early pregnancy: physical and emotional rest, diet, and abstinence from sexual intercourse. Ideally, the woman should be hospitalized until the very birth, where she will be under the supervision of doctors.

The treatment tactics for placental abruption depend on many factors: the gestational age, the well-being of the expectant mother and the fetus in her womb, the size of the delaminated area of the placenta, because the larger it is, the higher the risk of hypoxia in the unborn baby.

If the detachment occurs in the second trimester of pregnancy, when the fetus is not yet considered fully formed and capable of life outside the mother's womb, the situation is most tense. If the detached area of the placenta is small and the child's vital signs are normal, doctors do everything to maintain the pregnancy for several more weeks. The expectant mother is prescribed drugs to relax the uterus as part of tocolytic therapy. These can be drugs from different groups:

• beta-adrenergic agonists, such as Terbutolin and Ritodrine,
• prostaglandin synthesis inhibitors (Indomethacin, etc.),
• calcium channel blockers (Nifedipine),
• oxytocin receptor blockers, etc.

The choice of the appropriate drug for the situation is entirely within the competence of doctors, but most often they resort to prescribing magnesium, which has been proven over the years and has helped save more than one child’s life.

Vitamins for expectant mothers with problematic pregnancies can be prescribed at any stage as an important addition to therapeutic treatment. In case of placental abruption or ovum detachment, they are especially important, because the child already begins to experience a lack of nutrients as a result of impaired blood circulation, and if the mother's blood is also depleted of vitamins and minerals, the situation will become even more acute.

To maintain the normal condition of the uterus and prevent muscle spasms, antispasmodics may be prescribed. Treatment for brown discharge when a complicated pregnancy is detected is carried out using hemostatic agents and iron preparations. This is especially important if the bleeding is significant, as indicated by abundant dark discharge.

If the detachment is severe and affects the condition of the fetus, premature birth is indicated regardless of the gestational age. Placenta previa in this case is an indication for a cesarean section, as are situations with severe bleeding or immaturity of the uterus. If the maturation of the uterus is complete and it is able to open for labor, the amniotic sac is opened artificially, thus stimulating natural labor.

Brown discharge during pregnancy can also occur as a symptom of infectious and inflammatory diseases of the female genital tract. In this case, the pregnant woman is prescribed treatment in accordance with the identified infection.

The easiest thing to deal with are viral pathologies, for the treatment of which it is enough to strengthen the immune system with medication and folk methods. Treatment of bacterial infections requires the use of antibiotic therapy, which is undesirable during pregnancy, but acceptable if the infection becomes a factor causing fetal developmental disorders or a threat of termination of pregnancy.

Candidiasis usually requires the use of antifungal agents, but they are known for their toxic effect on the fetus, so women tend to use local antiseptics and folk recipes that help to suppress the infection, i.e. reduce the activity of fungi and somewhat reduce their number. Such antiseptics include Miramistin, Chlorhexidine, Chlorophyllipt, Hexicon and some other drugs approved for use during pregnancy.

It should be said that universal antiseptics are included in the treatment regimen for any type of sexually transmitted infections, because they can reduce the dosage of the special agents used. And this is very important, given the negative impact on the fetus of both the pathogens themselves and the drugs used to combat them.

Effective medicines

Even if doctors take a wait-and-see approach to treating brown discharge during pregnancy, this does not mean that the patient will have to sit back and do nothing. Rest and diet during pregnancy pathologies, although they are a mandatory requirement, are not able to correct the disorders that arise in the body of the expectant mother. This is facilitated by drug therapy.

The most popular drug prescribed to pregnant women with brown discharge in the early stages is "Duphaston". The active substance of the drug is an analogue of human progesterone with the corresponding effect in terms of maintaining pregnancy. The drug does not have corticoid, estrogenic or androgenic effects and side effects typical of synthetic progestins, so it is considered quite safe during pregnancy.

If there is a risk of miscarriage, the drug is prescribed according to the following scheme: 1 dose - 40 mg, the following 10 mg at intervals of 8 hours. The scheme is used for a week, after which the dosage can be gradually reduced. However, in some cases it is necessary to adhere to the established treatment scheme up to 16-20 weeks of pregnancy, if the reduction in dosage is accompanied by the reappearance of symptoms indicating an existing threat of miscarriage.

It is not uncommon for women to have regular miscarriages. In this case, it is recommended to start taking the drug while planning pregnancy, between the 11th and 25th day of the menstrual cycle. The dosage in this case should be 10 mg, and the frequency of taking the tablets should be 2 times a day. This regimen should be followed until the 20th week of pregnancy, after which you can gradually reduce the recommended doses, according to the individual doctor's prescription.

The drug "Duphaston" has very few contraindications. It is not prescribed for hypersensitivity to the components of the drug and the occurrence of skin itching or other allergy symptoms during previous intake of the hormonal drug. Caution should be exercised by patients with liver pathologies, although the drug does not cause serious disruptions in the functioning of the organ.

Side effects of Duphaston include headaches and mild allergic reactions (itching, rashes on the body, reddening of the skin, etc.). More severe reactions (angioedema) have been reported extremely rarely. Minor liver problems are also possible, characterized by weakness, abdominal pain, jaundice, but they usually occur against the background of existing organ pathologies. Other rare symptoms include hemolytic anemia, peripheral edema, increased sensitivity of the mammary glands, and breakthrough bleeding. The latter are treated by increasing the dose of the drug.

The second popular hormonal drug for the threat of miscarriage is "Utrozhestan" - a drug based on natural micronized progesterone, produced in the form of capsules. The peculiarity of the drug is that the capsules can be used both for oral administration and for insertion into the vagina. The drug is often prescribed to those women for whom "Duphaston" causes nausea, increased discharge and other undesirable side effects.

Treatment with progesterone for brown discharge, which is a symptom of pathology during pregnancy, can be carried out either orally (with confirmed progesterone deficiency) or intravaginally. The standard dose is 200-300 mg, but in this case, an individual approach is important, taking into account the needs of the body of a particular pregnant woman. The woman should divide the prescribed dose into 2 doses. It is considered ideal to take the first dose in the morning, and the second in the evening.

There is no need to chew or open the capsules. They are swallowed whole with water.

In case of threatened miscarriage and for the treatment of habitual miscarriage caused by progesterone deficiency, the drug is prescribed in a dosage of 400-800 mg per day. The capsules are inserted deep into the vagina twice a day (2 to 4 capsules containing 100 mg of progesterone per procedure). Treatment with the drug is possible in both the first and second trimesters of pregnancy.

The drug is used as a supportive therapy and during IVF. Capsules for intravaginal administration are used in the same dosage as in case of a threatened miscarriage. The first administration should coincide with the day of the gonadotropin injection. The specified treatment regimen should be followed for up to 8 weeks, after which the doctor decides to extend the medication or cancel it. After IVF, Utrozhestan is allowed to be used up to the 37th week of pregnancy, after which labor is quite acceptable.

Despite the fact that progesterone is not a foreign substance for a woman’s body, the use of the drug is considered dangerous in the following situations:

• for severe uterine and vaginal bleeding (for intravaginal use),
• for a tendency to thrombosis (for oral administration),
• if there is a suspicion or presence of malignant neoplasms in the tissues of the genitals and mammary glands,
• in porphyria,
• in case of incomplete abortion,
• in case of hypersensitivity to the components of the drug and the occurrence of allergic reactions while taking it.

The drug is not recommended for oral administration to patients with severe liver dysfunction.

Women rarely complain about the side effects of the drug, especially in the case of intravaginal use. Increased spotting when the drug is inserted into the vagina or taken orally is much less common than when taking Duphaston orally. Oral administration of Utrozhestan may be accompanied by drowsiness and mild dizziness, which appear several hours after taking the drug. Hypersensitivity reactions and allergic reactions may be due to the fact that the capsules contain peanut oil.

Brown discharge from the uterus and vagina is nothing more than a mixture of vaginal secretions with blood particles that have changed their color under the influence of enzymes. That is, we are talking about bleeding. During pregnancy, any bleeding is considered dangerous, especially those that last a long time or are repeated regularly. Sometimes minor hemorrhage becomes a harbinger of serious bleeding. This cannot be allowed, so expectant mothers are prescribed hemostatic drugs in advance.

"Tranexam" is one of the popular hemostatic agents, actively used in obstetrics and gynecology. The drug is prescribed for bleeding and the risk of its development during pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period.

The drug is available in the form of tablets and a solution for intravenous administration. During pregnancy, the drug can be prescribed in any form. Tablets are usually prescribed in a dosage of 1 to 1.5 g (4-6 tablets) with a frequency of 3 or 4 times a day. The duration of treatment depends on the intensity of bleeding and its cause (usually from 3 to 14 days).

The Tranexam solution is intended for intravenous infusions, which are most effective in case of intense bleeding or a woman's serious condition, as well as in cases where oral administration of the drug is impossible due to certain reasons. The solution is used for slow injections or infusions at an injection rate of 1 ml per minute. A single dose of the drug is calculated as 15 mg per kilogram of the patient's weight. The interval between injections should be 6-8 hours.

The instructions for the drug indicate contraindications for use: hypersensitivity to the components of the hemostatic agent and subarachnoid hemorrhage (hemorrhage into the cavity between the arachnoid and pia mater). Taking the drug is also considered undesirable for those patients who have previously had problems with blood clotting (increased clotting, tendency to thrombosis, vascular thrombosis, etc.).

Doctors should exercise special caution when prescribing the drug for renal failure, impaired color vision, vascular thrombosis, thromboembolism, thrombophlebitis and other pathologies associated with blood clotting disorders and blood clots.

Side effects of the drug include the following reactions:

• from the gastrointestinal tract (with oral administration, heartburn, nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, and intestinal upset may occur),
• from the nervous system (the appearance of weakness, drowsiness, dizziness, impaired perception of color),
• the cardiovascular system may react to the drug with increased heart rate (tachycardia), chest pain due to the fact that blood viscosity increases and it becomes more difficult for the heart to pump it,
• the development of thrombosis and thromboembolism is also possible,
• Complaints of allergic reactions, which are usually mild, cannot be ruled out.

The intravenous solution requires slow injections and drips. If it is administered faster than recommended, there is a risk of a strong decrease in pressure (arterial hypotension).

It is highly undesirable to combine any form of the drug with other hemostatic agents, since such therapy can lead to increased thrombus formation.

Not only bleeding itself is dangerous during pregnancy, but also the symptom of pulling pains in the lower abdomen that accompanies it in various pathologies. This symptom occurs due to increased tone of the uterus, which begins to actively contract and can simply push the fetus out. If the doctor has diagnosed increased tone of the uterus, he will definitely prescribe drugs that help relax its muscles and reduce the activity of the organ.

"Terbutaline" is a beta-adrenomimetic, which, along with the popular magnesium, is used in cases of threatened miscarriage associated with increased muscle tone of the uterus. It is used as part of tocolytic therapy for pregnant women, starting from the 16th week of pregnancy. Its use is permissible up to the 37th week.

The same drug is prescribed for isthmic-cervical insufficiency, a characteristic symptom of which is the opening of the uterus long before labor, and in the postoperative period after the application of sutures that prevent the fetus from leaving prematurely. In these situations, it is very important to prevent an increase in the tone and activity of the uterus.

There are various forms of the drug, but in case of a threat of termination of pregnancy, the drug is prescribed in the form of a solution. It is used for intravenous long-term infusions, the duration of which is 8 hours. A single dose of the drug is 5 mg. Subsequently, maintenance therapy is carried out using tablet forms. In this case, "Terbutaline" is prescribed 2 tablets three times a day.

The course of treatment is strictly individual, as are the reasons that provoke the appearance of brown discharge and the threat of losing the child. The drug can be prescribed in several courses if the symptoms recur. After the 37th week of pregnancy, its use is undesirable, since it can negatively affect the woman's ability to give birth to a child on her own.

Contraindications to the use of the drug are some diseases of the cardiovascular system, because the inner lining of the heart also consists of muscle tissue, on which the drug can have a relaxing effect. The drug is not prescribed for heart defects that cannot be corrected, for sinus tachycardia, extrasystole. Other contraindications include hypersensitivity to the components of the drug and hyperthyroidism (thyrotoxicosis caused by the active production of thyroid hormones).

It is not customary to prescribe "Terbutaline" for the diagnosis of "placental abruption", intrauterine infections, pyelonephritis of pregnant women. Caution in prescribing and using the drug should be observed in hypertension, diabetes mellitus, pheochromocytoma, arrhythmia, heart failure, epilepsy, including cases of epileptic seizures in the anamnesis, in the first trimester of pregnancy.

Taking the drug may be accompanied by the following unpleasant symptoms: increased heartbeat and tachycardia, requiring a reduction in dosage, tremor, anxiety, sleep disturbances, dizziness, migraines. Some patients note increased sweating, weakness, heart rhythm disturbances, fluctuations in blood pressure in one direction or another, weakness of the bladder, allergic reactions.

Fluctuations in blood sugar levels, reactions from the gastrointestinal tract (heartburn, nausea and vomiting, an unpleasant taste in the mouth, which usually appears after taking pills) are also possible.

The drug is not recommended for use simultaneously with adrenomimetics and antidepressants due to the risk of increasing the side effects of the latter. Beta-blockers can reduce the effectiveness of Terbutaline, so such combined treatment is also considered undesirable.

Treatment of genital tract infections, which may cause brown discharge during pregnancy, cannot be imagined without local antiseptics, which are capable of affecting pathogens directly at the site of their localization. And since we are talking about the genital area of the expectant mother, it is necessary to understand that not every drug introduced into the vagina or rectum, located in close proximity to the uterus, will be completely safe for the fetus.

"Geksikon" - vaginal suppositories and tablets approved for use during pregnancy. The active ingredient of the drug is chlorhexidine - an antiseptic, to which most pathogens are sensitive. The drug has a strictly local effect, having a detrimental effect on pathogenic microflora and not harming the normal one, existing in the vagina and providing its normal acidity. The fact that the drug does not penetrate the blood and through the placental barrier speaks in favor of its safety for the fetus.

Hexicon suppositories and vaginal tablets are intended for deep vaginal insertion. When using tablets, they should be moistened with warm water before use. Both forms of the drug are used twice a day for 1-1.5 weeks (1 tablet or suppository per procedure). After inserting the suppository or tablet, it is recommended to lie down for a while so that the drug has time to act and does not immediately flow out with the discharge.

"Geksikon" during pregnancy can also be offered as a preventive measure. Due to the broad spectrum of action of chlorhexidine, the drug is able to prevent infection with chlamydia, ureaplasma, gonococci, trichomonas and other sexually transmitted infections, therefore, during sexual intercourse, suppositories can be used to prevent diseases that are especially dangerous during pregnancy. In this case, the use of suppositories is justified within the next couple of hours after intercourse without the use of protective equipment.

The active substance of suppositories and tablets is an excellent antiseptic, with the help of which it is possible to carry out sanitization (disinfection) of the birth canal on the eve of a joyful event. Sanitation can be carried out both with the help of the specified forms and with the help of a solution. This helps to prevent the infection located in the cervical canal and vagina of a woman from getting on the skin and mucous membranes of the baby, as often happens with the diagnosis of "thrush".

Doctors can prescribe "Geksikon" during pregnancy for viral pathologies (for example, genital herpes and HPV) and candidiasis. However, in the latter case, the drug is effective only as part of complex therapy as an anti-inflammatory and anti-edematous agent. It is able to fight bacterial microflora, increase local immunity, but fungi remain insensitive to it. Brown discharge due to the anti-inflammatory effect will eventually become white and curdled, but the activity of fungi will decrease slightly and only temporarily.

The drug is intended for the treatment of patients over 12 years of age, but it is not prescribed for individual sensitivity to the active substance and other components of the drug. Caution should be exercised by expectant mothers who have previously had allergic reactions.

During pregnancy, with the consent of the doctor, suppositories and tablets can be used at any time. It should be taken into account that the drug can provoke allergic reactions in the form of rash, itching, burning in the area of application, which requires discontinuing the drug.

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Physiotherapy treatment

It may seem that during pregnancy, exposure to physical factors is not relevant. Many expectant mothers are skeptical about physiotherapy procedures, worrying that they can negatively affect the condition of the fetus and the course of pregnancy. But there is no need to worry, because a properly selected physiotherapy treatment regimen is not only incapable of causing harm, but on the contrary, it helps to maintain a problematic pregnancy and prevent all sorts of complications.

Thus, procedures for irradiating a pregnant woman with ultraviolet rays will be useful for increasing immunity and preventing infectious diseases. This treatment is especially relevant during periods when the days are much shorter than the nights and the lack of sunlight begins to affect the well-being of the expectant mother. Galvanization of the collar zone helps combat the symptoms of early toxicosis.

But galvanization with magnesium preparations helps to avoid the injection of magnesium, which is an extremely unpleasant procedure for a woman, accompanied by hot flashes, a feeling of heat in the lower part of the body, dizziness, etc. The currents themselves help to relax the uterus, which is in tone, and magnesium only enhances their effect, getting directly into the tissues of the uterus, and not traveling throughout the body.

Electrophoresis with bromine preparations has a relaxing effect on the entire nervous system, reducing overall tension, improving sleep and the well-being of the pregnant woman, and helping to relieve spasms of the uterine muscles.

Alternating currents that provide electro-relaxation and impact on certain points of the body help reduce the activity of the uterine muscles, which stop contracting and pose a threat to the fetus in the womb.

Hypobaric oxygenation may be prescribed if the baby begins to lag behind in development due to a disruption in blood supply. This procedure improves blood circulation in the placenta and promotes the appearance of new small vessels in its tissues.

Physical treatment for brown discharge during pregnancy requires special caution. Such procedures cannot be prescribed for active uterine bleeding. However, they will have a positive effect on the condition of the mother and child after the blood loss has stopped.

The choice of physiotherapy methods during pregnancy is limited only to the gentle effect of heliotherapy, hydrotherapy, electrophoresis, and relaxation techniques. In addition, all these methods are effective only in combination with drug treatment; they can be prescribed separately only for preventive purposes. However, doctors rarely resort to physiotherapy methods of treatment, because these methods have not yet been sufficiently studied to safely prescribe them to a wide range of patients.

It is important to understand that physiotherapy alone will not help to cope with bleeding, even so scanty that it manifests itself in the form of spotting brown discharge. But it helps to prevent the appearance of such a symptom, and in the case of premature termination of pregnancy, it allows the woman's body to recover faster so that she does not have problems with conceiving and carrying a pregnancy in the future. After all, the longer the recovery process takes, the less chances there are for a successful outcome.

When is surgical treatment necessary?

If an ectopic pregnancy or hydatidiform mole is detected, surgical treatment is indicated. In the first case, the embryo is surgically removed, and the fallopian tube where it was located is sutured, which does not prevent you from trying to conceive and carry a child again after a recovery period (about six months).

In the case of a hydatidiform mole, in which the grape-shaped neoplasms tend to progress and grow, the doctor makes a decision on non-intervention or surgery together with the patient. The fact is that in the vast majority of cases we are talking about a partial hydatidiform mole. If it is small and does not increase in size, the woman has a certain chance of giving birth to a normal child. But the presence of heavy bleeding, the existing risk of rupture of the uterine tissue as the fetus grows, the presence of tumors in the vagina (for example, cystic formations on the ovaries) or the growth of hydatidiform mole tissue into the endometrium are strict indications for surgery.

But on the other hand, it cannot be ruled out that at some point the disease may begin to progress. And in this case, two unpleasant outcomes are possible: the suspension of development and death of the fetus or the growth of tumor tissue into the uterus and malignant degeneration of its cells. To avoid such dangerous situations, doctors insist on surgery to remove the hydatidiform mole along with the embryo. Half of the patients who refuse surgery experience spontaneous discharge of the hydatidiform mole, i.e. premature birth at different stages, while the rest are at risk of the disease developing into more serious forms during pregnancy or in the near future, requiring observation by an oncologist.

At an early stage of pregnancy, doctors may resort to scraping out pathological tissues with a curette and digital removal of the hydatidiform mole. Such manipulations are performed up to 12 weeks of pregnancy. Vacuum aspiration is allowed to be performed up to 20 weeks and only if there has been no tissue growth into the uterus and vagina, a malignant process has been excluded, there is no threat of uterine rupture, or severe bleeding.

After surgical removal of the hydatidiform mole tissue, some of it is taken for histological examination to exclude or confirm a malignant process. In the future, the patient will have to undergo regular ultrasound examinations and chest X-rays. In the postoperative period, her hCG levels will be constantly monitored, and chemotherapy and radiation therapy may be prescribed.

If we are talking about multiple pregnancies, then in most cases doctors adopt a wait-and-see approach, because in such a situation the threat usually exists only for one of the embryos, in whose placenta the hydatidiform mole develops. The normally developing fetus will grow and displace the defective one, which will abort on its own.

A frozen pregnancy is a pathology in which the fetus stops developing. Most often, this occurs before 20 weeks. At this stage, the child is considered non-viable, so there is no point in continuing the pregnancy in this case. The death of the fetus in the womb is a strict indication for termination of pregnancy. Depending on its stage, vacuum aspiration or curettage is performed, i.e. abortion, which involves the removal of the frozen embryo and its membranes.

Surgical treatment for brown discharge during pregnancy, as we have already mentioned, is often prescribed for placental abruption complicated by its presentation, bleeding, weakened condition of the expectant mother or weakness of the fetus. In these cases, doctors resort to cesarean section. The recovery period after such an operation is, of course, longer than after natural childbirth, and subsequent pregnancies will most likely be resolved in this way. But this is a real chance to save the life of both the mother and the child, avoiding possible complications during childbirth.

It is important to understand that doctors try to resort to surgical treatment of pregnancy pathologies only in extreme cases, if normal physiological childbirth is simply impossible or can harm the health of the woman and the child (for example, provoke a rupture of the uterus or fetal hypoxia).

Folk remedies

It would seem that when it comes to bleeding that threatens the danger of early termination of pregnancy, what kind of folk treatment can we talk about? Are there really such non-drug remedies in nature that can prevent such sad consequences and at the same time not harm either the expectant mother or her unborn baby?

Doctors have mixed feelings about this issue. They do not reject the benefits of recipes based on the wisdom of our ancestors, but they do not consider them an equivalent replacement for the drugs used in this case. Although, as part of a comprehensive treatment, many folk methods and remedies may well be welcomed by gynecologists.

But again, it is necessary to take into account the reason causing the appearance of brown discharge and other symptoms of pregnancy pathology. So, in case of an ectopic or frozen pregnancy and hydatidiform mole, folk wisdom is unlikely to help solve the problem without surgery. But in case of a threat of miscarriage or premature birth, when the baby is alive, but is in danger, you can try to enhance the effect of traditional treatment with folk methods.

In case of brown discharge during pregnancy, folk treatment involves the use of herbal compositions based on herbs that help to reduce the tone of the uterus, calm the woman's nervous system, and reduce the likelihood of severe bleeding. But herbal treatment is not able to increase the level of progesterone in the body of the expectant mother, which is so necessary for maintaining pregnancy, stop bleeding, or stop the onset of labor. These are additional preventive measures that are designed to prevent the emergence of a threat rather than to stop the onset of a miscarriage.

Based on information about the treatment of threatened miscarriage and infectious and inflammatory diseases of the genitourinary system during pregnancy using herbal medicine methods, we can conclude that the safest during this period are herbal infusions, rather than single-component medications.

In some sources, you can find recipes where the main components of healing potions are calendula flowers and leaves or elecampane roots. In this case, fairly high dosages are used (strong decoctions), which, as we know, are capable of causing a miscarriage. The fact that these recipes helped one or two women does not mean that they will benefit others.

But calendula and elecampane are not prohibited in the composition of collections for problematic pregnancy, because in this case their dosage will not be as high. To prevent premature birth, the following collections can be used:

• Green rye stems, calendula flowers, angelica herb (20 g each), cinquefoil rhizomes, bugleweed and nettle leaves (10 g each). Prepare an infusion by pouring 2 tbsp of the herbal mixture into ½ liter of boiling water and leaving it to brew for 3 hours. After straining, take the infusion ½ cup 3 times a day before meals.
• Licorice and elecampane roots (30 g each), blackcurrant berries (20 g), cinquefoil root and nettle leaves (10 g each). Pour 2 tbsp of herbal mixture with a glass of boiling water, put the composition on low heat for a quarter of an hour, then remove from the stove and leave for another 20 minutes. Take the decoction in the same doses and according to the same scheme as the previous one.
• Dandelion grass and root are not considered dangerous during pregnancy, so women often take a decoction of them to prevent miscarriage. Pour 1 dessert spoon of crushed raw material with a glass of water, boil for a couple of minutes and remove from heat. When the mixture becomes warm, it can be strained and drunk in small sips throughout the day.
• For diseases of the urinary system, herbal infusions containing nettle, yarrow, dill seeds, chamomile, plantain, St. John's wort, calendula, and sweet clover are useful.

Since we are now talking about pregnancy pathologies accompanied by bleeding, we must remember that hemostatic properties are characteristic of such herbs as yarrow, nettle, and knotweed. But these same herbs in large doses can cause an increase in uterine tone.

Including licorice, mint, sage, St. John's wort, chamomile, cinquefoil and other estrogen-like plants in herbal infusions can only worsen a woman's condition when her hormonal balance is disturbed. And oregano and buckthorn are highly likely to provoke spastic contractions of the uterus and miscarriage.

As we can see, folk treatment for threatened miscarriage is not safe for the pregnant woman and her child. It is one thing if it is carried out by an experienced herbalist who adheres to strict dosages of herbs and infusions. Another thing is if a woman begins to prepare and take potions on her own, which is fraught with disastrous consequences.

It is especially dangerous if a pregnant woman begins self-medication when spotting appears, without waiting for a final diagnosis and without understanding the reasons for her condition. In this case, the risk of harming both herself and the child is even higher. However, the same is true when the expectant mother relies only on the power of herbs, refusing to take medications.

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Homeopathy

It should be said that many expectant mothers have an extremely negative attitude towards taking traditional medicines. They believe that pharmaceutical drugs with their side effects and toxic effects can harm the child. It is not surprising that with such an attitude, pregnant women turn to various folk remedies and homeopathy, ignoring the recommendations of doctors.

In principle, no one will condemn a woman for turning to homeopathic treatment, the purpose of which is to restore the body's own strength, to develop its potential in treating various diseases. Some homeopathic preparations also have symptoms of a threatened miscarriage in their indications. Here are some of them:

• Belladonna. It is used to eliminate the threat of miscarriage, helps to maintain pregnancy when miscarriage begins, prevents heavy bleeding after abortion.
• Caulophyllum. This medicine is prescribed to women with pathologies that provoke miscarriages in the early stages of pregnancy.
• Hamamelis. The drug is effective in cases of recurrent bleeding during pregnancy and severe bleeding during childbirth, such as placenta previa or early placental abruption.
• Platinum. This remedy is also prescribed for frequent scanty and heavy bleeding, especially if the discharge is dark and clotted.
• Pulsatilla. This drug is prescribed to prevent miscarriages.
• Sepia. The drug can be prescribed for uterine bleeding in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters of pregnancy.

Treatment for brown discharge during pregnancy should be carried out by an experienced homeopathic doctor who understands that taking homeopathic remedies does not exclude traditional drug treatment, but only complements it, helping to reduce the dosage of unsafe pharmacy products. Such treatment can only be prescribed after the woman has been examined by a specialist and has an accurate diagnosis in hand. Only a layman, not a professional, can treat a patient without knowing the causes of the disease and without taking into account the characteristics of her body.

Forecast

Brown discharge during pregnancy is incorrectly considered a disease. It is only one of the symptoms of possible pathologies. Moreover, in some cases, if we are talking about the first and third trimester of pregnancy, minor hemorrhages are even considered normal.

It is possible to make any predictions regarding this symptom only taking into account the pregnancy period. Discharges in the 2-3 week after conception will most likely be normal, because it is during this period that the fertilized egg is fixed in the uterus, which signals a normally developing pregnancy. But in the 6-8 week and later during the 1st trimester, discharges can have both a usual hormonal and an atypical cause.

Hormonal changes in turn can provoke the appearance of regular monthly bleeding, similar to menstrual bleeding, which does not pose a particular danger. But with a progesterone deficiency, they also become a risk factor for miscarriage. And the prognosis of the threat of miscarriage at this stage depends on the timeliness of the expectant mother's appeal for professional medical help. Diet, emotional and physical rest, and correction of hormonal levels usually help to maintain the pregnancy, preventing further detachment of the ovum and restoring normal nutrition to the embryo.

Brown discharge during a frozen or ectopic pregnancy has an unfavorable prognosis, because in any case such a pregnancy will have to be terminated and the woman will need another six months to a year to restore the body in order to make another attempt to become a mother. However, a late visit to the doctor about an ectopic pregnancy is fraught with a rupture of the fallopian tube in which the embryo developed, and this significantly reduces the chances of conception and a normal pregnancy in the future. Surgical treatment for brown discharge during an ectopic pregnancy is the only way out of this situation.

Predicting the outcome of a hydatidiform mole during pregnancy is extremely difficult. Doctors are inclined to believe that such pregnancies should be terminated. But on the other hand, there have been many cases when women with a partial hydatidiform mole gave birth to healthy children within the allotted time, and in multiple pregnancies only one of the embryos died, while the others developed normally and were born healthy. True, in such a case there remains a fairly high risk of developing trophoblastic disease in the future if the cells of this benign tumor penetrated the walls of the uterus and then into the vagina. Subsequently, their degeneration and the development of cancer cannot be ruled out.

The prognosis for placental abruption and placenta previa is also ambiguous. Placenta previa itself, although a risk factor for premature birth and the death of the child during it, does not always lead to miscarriage. This pathology is observed in approximately every fifth woman, and with caution (rest, limitation of physical activity, adequate rest, and in some cases bed rest), pregnancy is resolved on time and safely.

But with placental abruption, everything is not so simple. Brown discharge indicates the beginning of detachment, and its progression will be indicated by more abundant red discharge. But on the other hand, one should not exclude the possibility of regular appearance of scanty brown discharge, which, although not considered critical, indicates that the risk of premature birth still remains, and the child risks lagging behind in development or even dying from hypoxia and lack of nutrients.

In any case, a pregnant woman with such a diagnosis should be under the supervision of doctors, who will decide whether to induce urgent labor or postpone it until the fetus has matured sufficiently.

Brown discharge during genital tract infections and inflammatory pathologies of the urinary system is not a very encouraging symptom, since it indicates severe inflammation with damage to the mucous tissue and hemorrhages. Such diseases must be treated without fail.

Infections of the genital tract are especially dangerous in the first trimester, when the embryo's systems and organs are being formed and any negative impacts can cause the child to lag behind in development. Treatment options during this period are also limited, but doctors choose the lesser of two evils.

As for pathologies of the urinary system, the lack of effective treatment for pyelonephritis in pregnant women is fraught with a threat to the life of both the mother herself and her unborn baby, since the inflamed kidneys, experiencing enormous stress, can simply fail.

Brown discharge on the eve of childbirth also requires careful attention from doctors. After all, if we are talking about the discharge of the mucous plug, then there is nothing pathological in this. But it is always necessary to take into account a certain risk of placental abruption, especially if placenta previa was recorded. The symptom of brown discharge cannot be ignored at any time, because in itself it does not indicate the nature of the reasons that caused it, and the sad consequences can only be prevented through treatment that is relevant in each specific case.

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Prevention

It would seem that in order to avoid treatment for brown discharge during pregnancy, you just need to prevent their occurrence. What could be simpler? A balanced diet, moderate physical activity, a positive attitude, adequate rest, the use of condoms during intercourse, etc. should be the key to a normal pregnancy and the absence of pathological bleeding.

But expectant mothers do not always manage to prevent the appearance of brown discharge. It often happens that a woman leads a healthy lifestyle, is careful in physical activity, practices proper nutrition, and pregnancy still proceeds with complications. It is necessary to understand that emotional peace is also important for the expectant mother, which is not so easy to provide, because a pregnant woman becomes very sensitive to various changes in her body and tends to worry even about trifles. In addition, there are genetic or hereditary reasons that are very difficult to combat.

And yet, a pregnant woman, dreaming of giving birth to a healthy child, must do everything possible to ensure that the fetus in her womb develops normally and is born on time. If it was not possible to avoid the appearance of pathological brown discharge, the main thing is not to panic and not to complicate the situation. In most cases, timely treatment to doctors helps save the life of both the mother and her baby, as well as preserve the reproductive function of the young woman, which will allow her to become a mother in the future.

Even if there is a risk of miscarriage, there are certain preventive measures that can help reduce the likelihood of an unfavorable outcome:

• Brown discharge is not a death sentence, and you need to try to stay calm with the help of relaxation practices or taking sedatives that are allowed during pregnancy (the same valerian).
• From the moment the symptom appears until you consult your doctor, you need to remain calm and exercise maximum caution, avoid doing housework, and rest more.
• In order not to aggravate the threat, it is worth giving up bad habits (smoking, drinking alcohol, the habit of sitting in front of the computer, going to bed late, etc.), which the expectant mother should ideally forget about even at the time of pregnancy planning.
• If a doctor prescribes bed rest for a pregnant woman, it means that there is a need for it. Some mothers have to spend several months in bed with their legs and pelvis elevated, but this gives them the opportunity to maintain the pregnancy.
• The appearance of brown discharge during pregnancy is a signal to exercise caution. During this period, it is absolutely necessary to abstain from sexual intercourse. And if the discharge is pathological and is associated with the threat of miscarriage, the woman will most likely have to forget about sex until the birth of the child and the recovery of the body after childbirth. That is, the woman will have to choose, and the choice is a purely individual matter. But the one who is really expecting a child, and not just carrying it in her womb, will always make the right choice, because the pleasure of sex is nothing compared to the life of a little person.
• Any pregnancy complications require consultation and observation by the attending physician. In such cases, expectant mothers are almost always prescribed medications. And no matter how much a woman would like to avoid such treatment, she cannot refuse it. It is important to remember that this is the lesser of two evils. No folk remedies will help to maintain pregnancy in serious situations, and there is even less sense in waiting for everything to resolve itself.

Treatment for brown discharge, if it occurs during pregnancy and is caused by certain health problems of the mother or child, is a very responsible process. Quite often, a woman has to undergo treatment and exercise maximum caution for several weeks and months. But the birth of a healthy child is a worthy reward for the suffering for the mother and the efforts of doctors.