Pregnancy is a crucial period that requires you to take care of yourself more than ever. Sometimes certain issues with your health may lead you to get your cerebrospinal fluid checked. A procedure called a lumbar puncture, or more aptly a spinal tap is used for diagnosing problems of the central nervous system.
But the question is whether it is safe to conduct this procedure during your pregnancy? Read on to find the perceptions and reality behind the same.
Lumbar Puncture is a medical practice that involves insertion of a needle into the spinal canal of a person so as to pull together the cerebrospinal fluid which is a colourless fluid surrounding the spinal cord and brain for further diagnosing. If any individual has a health issue pertaining to the spinal cord or the brain, this puncture procedure can help detect it.
Diseases that can be detected with this lumbar puncture include meningitis or a haemorrhage. Generally, this test is conducted under local anaesthesia, and a hypodermic needle is used to collect the specimen. Once this is done, it is sent for further analysis.
When concerned about whether it is safe to conduct spinal tap during pregnancy, steering clear of every doubt becomes important. Yes, it is safe to conduct spinal tap procedure when pregnant. The spinal fluid is not influenced by your pregnancy in any manner. None of the trimesters of the pregnancy can pose any risk when performing a lumbar puncture. Another thing to keep in mind is that this procedure would also not pose any risk to your unborn.
The major benefits of opting for lumbar puncture in pregnancy are present in many ways:
Usually undertaken at a hospital, the basic procedure of a lumbar puncture involves the following steps:
The possible treatments for post-lumbar puncture treatments involve:
Generally, your head or the back would ache after going through a lumbar puncture. Resting and relaxing is the key. Any side effects can be kept at bay with the help of proper rest.
Proper medications are another way by which you can treat the pain that you may be going through, post a lumbar puncture procedure. Though you need to consult your doctor before preferring any of medicines.
This was all about the lumbar puncture or what you can call it as a spinal tap. Whether you are pregnant or not, a lumbar procedure can help you detect a health issue that may have been bothering you for a while. Early detection can further help in treating the problem in a timely manner so that you stay healthy and can live a blissful life with your healthy new-born.