Abdominal decompression is an
obstetric
Obstetrics is the field of study concentrated on pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period. As a medical specialty, obstetrics is combined with gynecology under the discipline known as obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN), which is a surg ...
procedure during which a
negative pressure
Negative pressure may refer to:
* Negative value of a pressure variable
* Negative room pressure, a ventilation technique used to avoid contaminating outside areas
* Negative pressure ventilator, also known as an iron lung
* Negative-pressure wou ...
is applied intermittently to a pregnant woman's abdomen.
Efficacy
No benefits of abdominal decompression have been found in healthy pregnant women. Abdominal decompression has no effect on blood pressure of the mother. It also has no effect on the newborn baby's condition and subsequent intellectual development.
[ Its effects on ]pre-eclampsia
Pre-eclampsia is a disorder of pregnancy characterized by the onset of high blood pressure and often a significant amount of protein in the urine. When it arises, the condition begins after 20 weeks of pregnancy. In severe cases of the disease ...
, low birthweight and fetal distress during labour are unclear.
Technique
Abdominal decompression consists of placing a rigid covered dome around the abdomen, with the inside being decompressed to -50 to -100 mmHg for 15 to 30 seconds out of each minute for 30 minutes, one to three times daily, or continuously during labour.[ Abdominal decompression has been known to treat abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) helping patients who have intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) and organ dysfunction.]
See also
* Maternal-fetal medicine
* Obstetrical nursing
Obstetrical nursing, also called perinatal nursing, is a nursing specialty that works with patients who are attempting to become pregnant, are currently pregnant, or have recently delivered. Obstetrical nurses help provide prenatal care and testin ...
References
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Obstetrical procedures