Help: Relation of Inguinal Hernia with High Risk Pregnancy Report

What is the relation of inguinal hernia to high risk pregnancy? All I know is that when the intestine gets incarcerated in the inguinal canal, it carries with it a uterine ligament. Which is it? And how is it detrimental to pregnancy? Thanks a million!

By the way, here's a copy of the paper I submitted to our instructor. I'm going to do an oral report next week about it, hope you could give me additional inputs: :)

INGUINAL HERNIA

Inguinal Hernia is the protrusion of an organ, usually the intestine, to the inguinal canal. In general, hernias can be congenital or developed.

Causes and Risk Factors

Inguinal Hernia is caused mainly by weakness of the abdominal muscles that may evolve into a localized hole. Because the muscles are weak, hernia can occur during abdominal strain such as obesity, excessive weight gain or loss, pregnancy, heavy lifting, chronic cough, and straining during bowel movements due to constipation that push the intestine into the inguinal canal. Other risk factors are family history, certain medical conditions such as cystic fibrosis, certain occupations that require standing up for long hours, premature birth, and a history of inguinal hernia usually on the opposite side.

Males are more at risk in developing inguinal hernias (About 75% of inguinal hernias are of developed by males) and may be caused by straining during urination due to an enlarged prostate. It occurs less in females due to the small size of their inguinal canal.

Signs and Symptoms

The most obvious symptom of inguinal hernia is a lump on the groin area that is more visible while standing up that when lying down. There is pain or discomfort in the groin especially when bending over, coughing, or lifting. Other symptoms include nausea, vomiting, inability to have bowel movement, and a bulge that remains when lying down.

In males, there is a heavy sensation in the groin area especially the scrotum. Pain and swelling is also present around the scrotum and the testes.

Diagnosis

The doctor will perform a physical examination. The patient is likely to asked for presence of signs and symptoms. Since coughing causes strain, the doctor will ask the patient to cough during the physical examination. If there is hernia, it will bulge as the patient coughs.

X-Ray and blood tests can also be done to assess intestine blockage.

Treatment

Most of the time, hernias can be pushed back up into place. However, some hernias can't be pushed. This may be because of a trapped portion of the intestine or incarcerated portion in the inguinal canal. Another can be because of strangulated hernia, causing less blood flow to the intestine.

Some people with hernia are made to wear a special kind of belt called a truss, in order to prevent the hernia from bulging out.

If pushing back the hernias won't work, then surgical operations will. One would be herniorraphy, the surgical operation where in the surgeon makes an incision and pushes back the protruding intestine back into place. In hernioplasty on the other hand, the surgeon inserts a synthetic or steel mesh, or wire, in the inguinal area and possible hernia openings. This is usually done laparoscopically where the surgeon inserts a fiber-optic camera into the patient's abdomen and using it as a guide.

Prevention

There are several ways in which people can prevent developing hernias. These are maintaining a healthy weight, emphasize high-fiber foods, avoid heavy lifting, and stop smoking. Though some say wearing a truss is helpful, it is not recommended to rely on it too much. It is not the long term solution for an inguinal hernia.

Inguinal Hernia in Relation to Pregnancy and Women

In the inguinal canal, there lies a ligament that helps suspend the uterus in place. If a hernia occurs there, it will carry the ligament with it. Uterine ligaments support the uterus especially AOG above 40 when the fundus is about the level of the xiphoid process. If the hernia carries with it a uterine ligament, there will be diagonal pain from the superior uterus to he groin. The uterus with the baby inside may also be moved due to the pulling of the uterine ligament.

Thanks very much to Daytonite's previous reply. Unfortunately, my first post was removed due to some reasons. Here's an edited post. Thanks again! :imbar