In comparison to general patients with pain in the lower right side of the abdomen, to get appendicitis in pregnant women diagnosed correctly, highly experienced and specialized doctors are required. When gestational age increases, pain might radiate to the upper right side of the abdomen and location of the appendix might change. Abdominal pain might not be able to identified by the abdominal examination. As the uterus grows during pregnancy, the bowel is displaced and the appendix gets moved. Nonetheless, unspecific symptoms associated with normal pregnancy such as abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting make appendicitis is very difficult to accurately diagnose. It is usually caused by uterus expanding and the stretching of ligaments. Signs and symptoms of appendicitis in pregnancyĪbdominal pain is common in pregnancy. These life-threatening complications increase chances of preterm delivery and fetal loss. If it is not treated promptly, it might eventually lead to a ruptured appendix and infections inside the abdominal cavity (known as peritonitis). The incidence of appendicitis in pregnancy seems to be considerably higher during the first 6 months (the first and second trimesters). As a consequence of the diagnostic difficulties, perforation rates are higher in pregnant women, affecting both mothers and fetus’s health.

Appendicitis during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of serious complications and morbidity compared with the general population. It can actually strike anyone at any age including pregnant women. If it is not treated promptly, the chances of fetal loss might considerably increase.Īppendicitis is an infection or inflammation of the appendix which is a finger-shaped pouch that projects from colon on the lower right side of the abdomen. As a consequence of the diagnostic difficulties, perforation rates are higher in pregnant women, affecting both expectant mothers and fetus’s health. Due to unspecific symptoms associated with normal pregnancy such as abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, appendicitis in pregnant women is very difficult to diagnose. In fact, it is one of the most common non-obstetric surgical diseases during pregnancy. Appendicitis in pregnancy might be overlooked.

How to tell if your appendix burst