Pregnancy and poor vision: natural birth or caesarean section?

Natural childbirth places a huge strain on a woman's vision. There are disorders and pathologies of the visual system in which natural childbirth is strictly prohibited or not recommended. We’ll figure out what kind of vision you can’t give birth to on your own in this article.

It is not without reason that gynecologists advise all women to plan their pregnancy in advance. This allows you to detect and correct problems existing in the body in time in order to carry and give birth to a healthy baby. A visit to an ophthalmologist is a mandatory step in preparing for pregnancy, because it allows you to determine whether a woman has any pathologies that may be a contraindication to natural childbirth. Even if pregnancy is not planned, you should visit an ophthalmologist as soon as possible from the moment of conception. Subsequently, unless the doctor prescribes a different schedule of visits, you need to be examined by an ophthalmologist every trimester.

Is poor vision during pregnancy a death sentence?

Assuming a normal pregnancy, myopia, hypermetropia or astigmatism in themselves do not carry any risks. But the closer it is to childbirth, the more questions the expectant mother has, because the process of giving birth to a child is associated with a huge burden on the female body. And even the most experienced doctor cannot predict how this load will affect the progress of eye disease.

In order not to risk her own health and the health of the unborn baby, even before the cherished hour X, the woman needs to decide exactly how the birth should proceed and notify the doctor about it.

Remember that the choice between a natural birth process and a cesarean section will remain yours for a long time.

What factors are considered when deciding to have a caesarean section?

It is never possible to give a clear answer as to how efforts will affect the vision of each particular myopic woman in labor. Many factors are taken into account here: age, pregnancy, general health, condition of the retina and fundus of the eye, visual acuity, the presence or absence of complications. It is impossible to predict how the expectant mother will act during childbirth and how her eyes will react to this. There are women who, contrary to the urgent recommendations of obstetricians, begin to push with the whole body and the eye muscles, including.

This strain can lead to retinal detachment and rupture of small blood vessels.

But there are also cases when vision, on the contrary, improves after childbirth. This happens when myopia or other disorders arise due to pinched nerves, congestion, or muscle spasms. During the birth process, such problems sometimes disappear, and the young mother gets the opportunity to see her baby, as they say, in a new light. Thus, poor vision is only a relative indicator for a cesarean section, and each case is considered here only on an individual basis.

Don't cut from the shoulder

Once your lenses are wet with tears of joy after the incredible news of motherhood, don't even think about panicking! For now, you differ from expectant mothers with good vision in only one thing: in addition to regular visits to the antenatal clinic, you will have to add frequent visits to the ophthalmologist. One visit every couple of months will be enough for the specialist to draw conclusions based on his observations and, after a few months, give you recommendations on whether or not to have a cesarean section.

Do not forget to notify your obstetrician-gynecologist about vision problems, who must have all the information about the well-being of the expectant mother and understand the risks associated with the appearance of the baby. Poor vision during pregnancy is not a death sentence, but in order to avoid further pathologies, one must not forget about it.

Consultations with an ophthalmologist

If there are any visual impairments, a pregnant woman should contact a specialized specialist. For those diagnosed with myopia, this must be done three times - in the first, second and third trimesters. The ophthalmologist will evaluate not only the condition of your fundus, but also the retina, while paying attention to your condition, the course of pregnancy and other indicators. All consultations should take place in contact with an obstetrician-gynecologist in order to jointly choose a method of conducting childbirth.

Waiting for a miracle

Not all women are ready to come to terms with the injustice of fate, which gave them a disappointing diagnosis of “myopia”. While the imperfections of the eyes were hidden by the lenses, everything went on as usual, but representatives of the fragile sex, before the birth of a child, sometimes decide to take desperate steps to “fix everything.”

Remember: vision correction before pregnancy carries many risks, but performing laser surgery in an interesting position is simply unacceptable.

It is possible that you will be able to find an unscrupulous doctor who can instill empty hopes and carry out the procedure. But will this experiment result in loss of vision? Don't hope for a miracle: trust the statistics and the opinion of your regular doctor.

What are the absolute contraindications?

According to doctors, there are several visual contraindications for natural childbirth:

pathological changes in the fundus of the eye in the form of retinal tears and pre-tears, which can lead to complete blindness;
rapidly progressing myopia (by 1-2 diopters per year);
swelling of the optic nerve, which can be a provoking factor for raising intracranial pressure;
recent retinal surgery;
retinal disinsertion;
if the woman in labor has only one sighted eye with a high degree of myopia (the risk of vision loss is too great);
fundus hemorrhages, which can worsen significantly during childbirth.

If a woman experiences degenerative changes in the fundus of the eye against the background of weak blood vessels, ophthalmologists do not recommend getting pregnant at all, and obstetricians-gynecologists agree with them on this.

The ongoing redistribution of blood flow, taking into account the demands of the fetus, can so greatly reduce the blood flow to the retina that the primary progression of myopia, and then blindness, will become an irreversible process. This is the only case when a family has no other choice but to use the services of a surrogate mother.

Unfortunately, the trend of increasing eye diseases is growing worldwide at a record pace.
But this does not mean that every woman with such a problem should inevitably end up on the operating table. If you strictly follow the instructions of the ophthalmologist and obstetricians, independent childbirth will definitely become a reality for you, and not a myth. Like

The mystery of childbirth and risks to the eyes

Why is the main concern for the eyes associated with a seemingly natural process, the mechanism of which is laid down by nature itself? Because it is during pushing that the body activates maximum forces, as a result of which arterial and intraocular pressure greatly increases. Bruising in the eyes due to damage to small vessels in this case is irreversible, but women with a stretched retina due to natural childbirth are at risk of more serious injuries, which can result in complete blindness. Therefore, a caesarean section often becomes the only possible way for women in labor with poor vision to become a mother without serious risks.

How to behave during childbirth?

The most important thing is to learn how to push correctly. This should not be done with the whole body, but only with the stomach, and not in the eyes, but in the perineum. Typically, in the medical records of women with low vision, the ophthalmologist makes a note about the need to control the periods of pushing, making them short.

The last visit to him before childbirth should be planned during the period when the fetus takes its final position in the poppy - this will allow the specialist to make an approximate forecast of the course of labor. In addition to the fact that the state of vision changes significantly during pregnancy, swelling, high blood pressure and other factors may be added at the last stage. Only by summing up all the data does the ophthalmologist make a conclusion about the indication or contraindication for natural childbirth.

Is it possible to influence the situation during pregnancy?

It’s possible, and eye exercises will definitely not be a burden for an active mother. In fact, you don’t have to do anything special:

try to maintain eye health according to the recommendations of an ophthalmologist;
avoid frequent bending;
minimize stress on the retina (refuse to watch TV, spend less time at the computer);
learn to push according to the recommendations of specialists, using energy wisely;
overcome the fear of childbirth.

Often it is panic that causes excessive stress on the mother’s part, which even experienced doctors are unable to alleviate. Set yourself in a positive mood, believe in the best and don’t forget about your own health - then your baby will be born without problems, and your vision indicators will remain unchanged!

Planning pregnancy with myopia

At the pregnancy planning stage, a woman with myopic refraction needs to consult an ophthalmologist. The doctor conducts the following diagnostic examinations necessary to make an accurate diagnosis of refractive errors:

determination of visual acuity;
determination of refraction value;
biomicroscopy;
ophthalmoscopy in conditions of drug-induced mydriasis.

Based on the results of the examination, a diagnosis is established and further tactics for managing the patient are determined. If moderate or high myopia is detected with dystrophic pathology in the fundus, the woman is referred for a consultation with a laser surgeon to decide on the need for laser coagulation of the retina.

Is myopia inherited from a child?

The child inherits only a predisposition to myopia, but not the disease itself. Therefore, if parents have myopia, then there is no need to panic ahead of time, there is a chance that the baby will have normal vision.

How does pregnancy affect myopia?

In most cases, pregnancy does not affect the amount of myopia, but there are cases when myopia progresses. What is this connected with?

The increase in the degree of myopia in pregnant women is caused by the effect of hormones on the structures of the eye, causing increased extensibility of the membranes. An increase in the anteroposterior size of the eyeball leads to an increase in the manifestation of refractive error.

A change in refraction can also be associated with edema and swelling of the lens; this phenomenon can be observed with gestosis. Swelling of the lens leads to an increase in its curvature, and, consequently, its refractive power increases. These changes lead to increased myopic refraction.

During pregnancy, a woman with mild myopia should visit an ophthalmologist at least 2 times - when registering and before giving birth (at about 36 weeks).

During pregnancy with high and moderate myopia, you need to visit the doctor at least 3 times - upon registration, at 20 weeks of gestation and at 36 weeks.

If during preventive examinations a dystrophic pathology of the retina is detected, then a consultation with a laser surgeon is necessary. He will determine whether surgery is needed or not. Laser photocoagulation of the retina is carried out before the 30th week of pregnancy; LKS at a later date can provoke premature birth.

Indications for caesarean section based on vision: is it possible or not to give birth on your own if you can’t see well?

Poor vision has virtually no effect on the quality of life, because glasses and contacts can easily solve this problem, but during pregnancy everything is different. Doctors often suggest that a woman not give birth herself, but rather have a caesarean section. This is associated with a risk of visual impairment both before and after childbirth.

Why is it dangerous to give birth naturally if you have vision problems?

Various hormonal changes occur in the body of a pregnant woman, which in one way or another affects all organs. Eyes are no exception.

Often vision deteriorates from the first weeks of pregnancy. A woman is often bothered by constantly appearing “spots” in front of her eyes, and objects are completely distorted. In addition, the usual lenses and glasses now cause discomfort or become useless.

All these are just minor symptoms that may bother you during pregnancy. More serious problems can be encountered when a woman has to give birth herself.

The overstrain that the female body experiences during contractions negatively affects the organ of the visual system. In addition, it is impossible to predict how the woman in labor will behave. For example, instead of concentrating on the abdominal and perineal muscles, a woman may push with her whole body.

In such a situation, the load will be on all organs, including the eyes. This can cause vascular damage or lead to disruption of the coordinated functioning of the sensory organ, which causes hemorrhage and temporary strabismus.

In addition, it is unknown what can happen to the eyes if complications arise during pregnancy.

For example, early toxicosis often increases myopia by 1-2 diopters, and with eclampsia, blood pressure can rise so much that it provokes an increase in intraocular pressure and, accordingly, hemorrhage into the eye cavity. If there is edema, it often causes the development of vascular pathology of the retina.

Absolute contraindications to natural childbirth for ophthalmic pathologies

The indication for surgical intervention is the decision of the ophthalmologist, which will be made based on the results of the examinations. As a rule, cesarean section is recommended for women who have severe eye diseases and disorders in the functioning of organs and body systems that affect the quality of vision:

retinal dystrophy or risk of retinal detachment;
glaucoma, in particular angle-closure glaucoma, in which intraocular pressure periodically increases, causing pain and blurred vision;
myopia, the degree of which exceeds 6.25 diopters;
progressive myopia, characterized by a gradual and constant increase in its degree due to stretching of the posterior part of the eye;
papilloedema, or swelling of the optic disc;
congenital and acquired hypermetropia;
retinopathy caused by vascular disorders or complications of hypertension and diabetes mellitus.

After ophthalmic surgery, even for several years, scars and small scars remain, which can open during contractions due to increased blood pressure or intraocular pressure. This leads to damage to the eyeball, which is fraught with serious complications (redness of the eyes, hemorrhage, swelling of the eyelids, etc.).

When can you refuse a cesarean section and give birth yourself?

You can give birth without surgery only if you have the following indications:

weak (up to 3 diopters) or moderate myopia (from 3.25 to 6 diopters), which is subject to optical correction;
completely healed retina or sclera of the eyeball;
open-angle glaucoma subject to treatment;
absence of any pathological changes after laser correction.

In addition, sometimes, even in the presence of contraindications and vision problems, the doctor can give consent to a natural birth without surgical intervention, if no complications arose during pregnancy and the condition of the expectant mother is stable. In this case, the woman will require a minimum of effort during contractions, which should not cause problems with blood or intraocular pressure.

Possible complications after childbirth in women with poor vision

Women often experience decreased quality of vision after childbirth, but this is a temporary problem that resolves on its own within a few days or at the end of the lactation period. Typically, this occurs due to severe nervous tension or hormonal imbalance that occurred during childbirth.

In the worst case, complications of existing eye diseases may appear:

retinal detachment or dystrophy;
hemorrhage into the eye cavity;
regular increase in intraocular pressure;
excruciating headaches accompanied by nausea and vomiting.

In quite rare cases, for example, with the progression of retinopathy, there is a risk of significant deterioration in vision, up to its complete loss. That is why if serious symptoms occur, you will need to see a doctor immediately.

Prevention of complications

If you follow the recommendations of doctors to preserve the functions of the visual organs, you can reduce the likelihood of a cesarean section, give birth naturally and prevent complications that often arise after childbirth. For this it is enough:

include in your diet foods rich in vitamins A, C and E, or take special complexes (Optics, Vitrum Forize, Complivit Oftalmo, etc.);
promptly identify and treat eye diseases and diseases that can negatively affect vision (diabetes mellitus, arterial hypertension, conjunctivitis, etc.);
use glasses or contacts;
give your eyes a break from TV screens, smartphones and computer monitors;
read only in natural light;
do not go outside in summer without sunglasses;
systematically perform warm-up and eye exercises;
Visit your ophthalmologist regularly to have your vision checked.

Complete prevention will not help to rid a woman 100% of her existing problems, but by following the recommendations mentioned, you can prevent complications and even slow down the progression of some diseases (myopia, farsightedness, etc.). This will make further treatment easier.

Source: https://www.oldlekar.ru/rody/kesarevo/iz-za-zreniya-kesarevo.html

What happens with myopia?

The fact is that with myopia, changes in the anatomy and physiology of the organ of vision are often detected: the length of the eye is increased compared to the norm, resulting in stretching of the membranes of the eye and thinning of the retina at the periphery. Reduced blood circulation in the eye leads to a decrease in the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the retina, which is the cause of various peripheral retinal dystrophies (PRRD).

PVHRD. What is the danger?

The most dangerous forms of peripheral retinal dystrophies are breaks, lattice dystrophy, retinoschisis, and mixed forms of dystrophies. Patients with retinal tears are at risk of developing one of the most serious eye diseases - retinal detachment. Considering the above, already at the stage of pregnancy planning, it is advisable to start seeing an ophthalmologist.

Natural birth or caesarean section?

There are generally accepted indications and contraindications regarding the condition of the eyes and the process of delivery.

No pathological changes in the fundus.
The presence of dystrophic changes (PVCD), which cannot be delineated using preventive laser coagulation of the retina, in the case of a stable fundus picture during pregnancy.

Retinal detachment during actual childbirth.
Retinal detachment diagnosed and operated on at 30–40 weeks of pregnancy.
Previously operated retinal detachment in the only seeing eye.

Extensive areas of PVCRD with the presence of vitreoretinal tractions.
History of retinal detachment.

These contraindications are considered relative, because with a timely visit to a vitreoretinologist, it is possible to perform limiting laser coagulation of the retina, and, accordingly, eliminate the risk of possible complications.

What examination should pregnant women undergo?

Of course, it all starts with basic procedures - checking visual acuity, autorefractometry (determining the refractive power of the eye), measuring intraocular pressure, biomicroscopy (examination of the anterior segment of the eye using a special biomicroscope - a slit lamp). A mandatory type of ophthalmological examination during pregnancy is an examination of the fundus, which is carried out through a wide pupil, since only in this state is it possible to examine the periphery of the retina, where, as a rule, dangerous changes occur.

How to avoid possible complications?

If there are thinnings or breaks in the retina, preventive laser coagulation of the retina is required to limit them. After timely laser coagulation of the retina, and it is carried out before the 30th week of pregnancy, you can completely calmly give birth in the generally accepted way, without worrying about your vision!

What else is important to know about vision during pregnancy?

In addition to myopia, there are other eye diseases.

As practice shows, examination by an ophthalmologist is prescribed mainly for pregnant women with predominantly high myopia (myopia) in order to prevent retinal complications (detachment, hemorrhages in the retina or vitreous body) during childbirth. It should be noted that thinning of the retina occurs not only in myopic people, but also in people with hemodynamic disorders, less often with farsightedness, as well as in people with normal vision, but somewhat less frequently than in myopes.

Therefore, during pregnancy, a woman, regardless of the presence of vision problems, should visit an ophthalmologist at least 3 times - at the beginning of pregnancy, in the middle and at the end.

Timely examinations by an ophthalmologist will help preserve your vision for a long time!

Source: https://www.visus-novus.ru/info/articles/zrenie-i-beremennost/

Is it possible to do laser correction?

Modern technologies make it possible to solve the problem of poor vision once and for all. One operation and everything becomes clear again without glasses or contact lenses. However, is it possible to perform such an operation while expecting a baby?

Of course, laser vision correction is contraindicated during pregnancy. However, no one forbids you to undergo the procedure before it occurs: plan your life in such a way that at least six months pass from the moment of the operation until two strips on the test - the eye has time to recover.

You can plan surgery to restore vision after childbirth from the moment you finish breastfeeding.

There is an opinion that girls who have not yet given birth should not correct their vision through surgery. This is erroneous, since if the timing of the operation is observed, supervision by a qualified specialist and timely contact with an ophthalmologist during pregnancy, the risk of decreased vision is practically eliminated.

Mandatory examination by an ophthalmologist: when to undergo it?

If you have problems with your vision, tell your gynecologist about it during your first visit. He will refer you for an examination to an ophthalmologist, and the specialist will prescribe how often you should visit the hospital - after all, everything is individual for each person. However, there are general rules on how often you should be examined by an ophthalmologist during pregnancy:

Every pregnant woman needs to undergo an ophthalmologist examination at 10-14 weeks;
if the first examination does not reveal any abnormalities, then the second mandatory examination is at the end of pregnancy, at 32-36 weeks.