Pregnancy causes a series of hormonal changes and some imbalances in the woman's body. The routine controls that are carried out throughout these 40 weeks are essential to be able to observe that everything is going correctly. Many women think that medical check-ups are used exclusively to monitor the development of the baby. But the reality is that, although this is true, it is not the only thing that is intended to be controlled.
The mother's health is essential for the baby to develop properly. For this reason, it is essential that certain areas of the woman that affect the fetus are closely monitored. One of these very important areas is the thyroid, an extremely important gland. The thyroid directly influences the proper development of pregnancy, but it also affects fertility.
The thyroid and its importance in pregnancy
The thyroid is a gland located at the base of the neck, its function is to produce some hormones that are responsible for controlling metabolism, among others. The hormones produced by the thyroid are essential for the proper functioning of multiple functions of the body. These are present in almost every tissue in the body.
Thyroid hormones play a very important role in the growth process, since they are necessary so that the organism can synthesize many of the proteins. This is precisely one of the fundamental reasons why it is so important to check that the thyroid is working properly. Not only during pregnancy, which is essential for the baby, but also for the mother's health.
During pregnancy, the mother's thyroid has to do double duty as it the baby does not develop its own thyroid gland until week 12. Also, one of the hormones produced by the thyroid is necessary for the placenta to form.
Possible thyroid disorders in pregnancy and their consequences
Thyroid disorders whether they appear before pregnancy, or if they arise during this period, can have serious consequences.
Hypothyroidism
It is when the thyroid gland does not produce the necessary hormones to meet the needs of the body. Suffering from this disorder during pregnancy can cause serious consequences such as:
- High risk of suffering a spontaneous abortion
- Greater chances of having a preterm birth
- Preeclampsia
- Hypertension
To prevent any of these situations, it is very important that the pregnant woman continue a thorough medical check.
Hyperthyroidism
It happens when the opposite happens to the previous case, in this case the thyroid produces excess hormones unnecessary in pregnancy. This disorder affects a very low percentage of pregnant women, but the risk for both the baby and the mother is very serious:
- Increased risk of miscarriage
- Risk of the fetus suffering tachycardia
- Under weight at birth
- Fetal death
The risks to the mother can be very serious such as preeclampsia or a worsening of symptoms already mentioned that produces hyperthyroidism.
How to detect a thyroid problem
It is possible that these disorders appear during pregnancy, so it is very important that you be attentive to any changes. Going to the doctor as soon as possible will be essentialHaving an early diagnosis will help you control any situation.
However, you should know that if the problems derived from a malfunction of the thyroid are controlled in time, they do not have to interfere with pregnancy.
The symptoms of hypothyroidism are:
- Weight gain
- The skin appears drier
- Nails and hair look weaker
- Pain in the Joints
- Lack of energy, tiredness and general discomfort
The symptoms of hyperthyroidism are:
- Weight loss
- Tachycardias
- Very cold skin and wet
- Poor heat tolerance
- Thyroid gland enlargement
How to prevent thyroid disorders
Iodine is a fundamental element for the thyroid gland to perform its functions correctly. You can obtain this mineral through foods such as fish, milk, eggs or yogurt among others. But you can also meet iodine needs, using iodized salt for cooking. In addition, the doctor will prescribe a supplement that includes iodine, among others.