According to data from the United Nations (UN), 80,000 pregnant women are expected to give birth in the next three months in Ukraine. This Monday (14), a pregnant woman and a baby died after an attack on a maternity hospital in the city of Mariupol, a constant target of Russian bombing.
In this Saturday’s edition (19) of the Medical Correspondentcardiologist Stephanie Rizk explained the impacts of war on pregnant women.
Among the main consequences and illnesses caused by the lack of adequate medical follow-up are:
- Urinary tract infection (which can even lead to the death of the baby)
- Gestational diabetes,
- Meningocele (spina bifida)
- Preeclampsia (changes in the kidneys and nervous system of the pregnant woman).
Rizk also explains how the stress of war damages the health of pregnant women:
“Pregnancy is already a state that leaves the mother emotionally different, due to hormonal changes. In addition, the uncertain future, where the mother does not know if she will have the presence of the father by her side, if she will be in a welcoming environment and if she will be able to give birth, due to attacks on maternity hospitals, further undermine the mental health of mothers. .”
“Stress also alters cortisol levels in our brain. An increased amount of this substance for a long time generates inflammatory cytokines, which irritate the pregnant woman’s body, and can reach the fetus. In the long term, these babies may suffer more from low birth weight, attention deficit, anxiety and hyperactivity,” explained Rizk.
See more in the video above
Source: CNN Brasil
