The first months of pregnancy don't always go smoothly. Some women suffer from weakness, nausea, dizziness and other ailments from the very first weeks.
One of the most troubling first trimester problems is the increased tone of the uterus. To eliminate it, doctors usually prescribe antispasmodics, for example, "Papaverine".
This medication is considered harmless to the fetus, but expectant mothers should not use it without a specialist's prescription.
Features of the drug
The drug is presented in pharmacies in three types:
- suppositories;
- tablets;
- injectable form.
The candles are sold over the counter, 10 in a pack, they are yellowish-white, elongated and should be kept at home at low temperatures. They are most often used at home due to their ease of use and quick effect.
Tablet "Papaverine" is also an over-the-counter drug, sold in blisters of 10 tablets, which are white and round. This medicine can be stored at room temperature and has the most affordable price.
The solution for injections is produced in ampoules of 2 ml. It has a yellow-greenish tint, but it is usually colorless and transparent. To buy such "Papaverine", you must first get a prescription from a doctor, and store it at home in a cool place. The solution is administered intravenously, into muscle tissue or subcutaneously, if a quick therapeutic effect is required or the patient's condition is severe.
The main ingredient in all forms of the drug is papaverine hydrochloride. It has an antispasmodic effect, due to which smooth muscles relax both in many internal organs (intestines, uterus, gallbladder, bronchial tree, and so on), and in the walls of blood vessels. Thanks to these effects, the use of "Papaverine" eliminates pain, provoked by spasms, and also lowers blood pressure.
Is it used in the 1st trimester?
All forms of "Papaverine" are allowed to be used at any stage of pregnancy, including the first trimester, when the most important organs of the baby are laid and formed. Doctors call "Papaverine" a drug harmless to the fetus, since during their many years of practice such an antispasmodic did not provoke malformations and developmental disorders, but, on the contrary, helped to maintain pregnancy and successfully bear a child for many women.
However, doctors focus on the fact that putting candles or drinking pills is permissible only after examination by a gynecologist, and injections are given only in a medical facility so that the pregnant woman is under the supervision of specialists. The drug should not be used on the advice of friends and pharmacists, because the dose and treatment regimen is determined for each patient individually.
The most common reason for using Papaverine in the first trimester is the threat of miscarriage due to uterine hypertonicity. This condition can be caused by a deficiency of progesterone, exposure to stress, thyroid problems, toxicosis, physical activity and many other factors. It is dangerous for the fetus, because due to the stressed state of the uterus, pregnancy can be interrupted.
When is it used?
When a woman who has just found out about her situation there are pulling pains in the lower abdomen or in the lumbar region, this should immediately alert and cause a visit to a gynecologist. This is how the increase in the tone of the uterus manifests itself, which significantly increases the risk of miscarriage, since it interferes with the normal attachment of the embryo to the uterine walls and reduces the supply of nutrients due to squeezing of the blood vessels. The specialist will conduct an examination, make sure that there is no ectopic pregnancy and confirm that the discomfort is caused by hypertonicity.
If the tone is slightly increased, the doctor will prescribe suppositories. Usually they are used 1 suppository 2 times a day, but sometimes the remedy is used three times or four times a day (more precisely, the scheme should be checked with the doctor). The drug is released from the packaging and injected in a supine position into the rectum, after which you need to lie down quietly for 10-20 minutes. Additionally, the doctor will advise you to stay in bed for a while and prescribe other necessary medications, for example, hormones or sedatives.
With a high risk of miscarriage, the expectant mother is hospitalized and prescribed injections. A hospital stay is required to monitor the woman's condition, which can change at any time. If the pregnant woman is at the hospital at this time, she will receive the necessary medical care and keep the baby. The dosage of liquid "Papaverine", as well as the method of administration, must be determined by a specialist. As noted above, injections are only given by a healthcare professional. For intravenous injections, droppers are often used, for which the medicine is diluted with saline.
The duration of use in each case is set individually. Sometimes a short course of treatment is enough to eliminate hypertonicity, and some pregnant women are prescribed Papaverine for 7-14 days or longer.
An increase in the tone of the walls of the uterus is far from the only indication for the appointment of "Papaverine" to women in position.
The medication can also be used in such situations:
- if the expectant mother suffers from a dry cough caused by bronchospasm;
- if a woman has abdominal pains, and the doctor, after examination, determined that they are caused by spasms in the intestines;
- if a pregnant woman complains of headaches caused by spasm of the vessels of the head;
- if the expectant mother has inflammation in the genitourinary system, which provoked renal colic or spasms in the bladder;
- if a woman is diagnosed with chronic cholecystitis, which caused biliary colic;
- if a pregnant woman fell ill with ARVI, due to which her body temperature rose and at the same time peripheral vessels spasmed.
With all these indications, the advisability of taking Papaverine should be determined by the doctor.
Contraindications
The use of "Papaverine" in the early stages without consulting a doctor is not recommended, primarily because of some restrictions for such treatment. The drug should not be used when:
- serious liver disease;
- glaucoma;
- hypersensitivity;
- atrioventricular blockade.
The use of "Papaverine" requires caution in many other diseases, for example, with glomerulonephritis, thyroid gland or heart disease. In addition, when prescribing this medication, it is necessary to take into account the intake of other medicines by the pregnant woman, therefore self-medication is unacceptable.
Side effects
In some expectant mothers, the use of "Papaverine" causes an allergic reaction, which requires discontinuation. Sometimes the drug causes arrhythmia, drowsiness, hypotension, constipation and other undesirable effects. If they occur, a doctor's examination is required, who will select an analogue.
Reviews
Most women who were prescribed "Papaverine" in the first trimester leave positive reviews about this medicine. They confirm its effectiveness in hypertonicity and the absence of a negative effect on the child. Among the main advantages of candles are ease of use and simple composition. According to women, their condition began to improve 10-15 minutes after the administration of the suppository.
Analogs
Most often, "Papaverine" is replaced by "No-shpa", since it is no less effective antispasmodic that acts on smooth muscles in a similar way. The basis of this drug is drotaverine, which quickly helps relieve spasms and reduce the tone of the uterus. The tool is released in tablet and injection form. It is allowed to be used in pregnant women at any gestational age, since this drug does not interfere with the development of babies during gestation.
Its use should be discarded in case of hypersensitivity, heart failure, liver problems or impaired renal function. Because of these contraindications, use without consulting a doctor is not recommended for women in position.
To replace No-shpy, analogs of the active substance can also be used, for example, the drugs Spazmonet or Spazmol.
More about uterine tone is the next video.
