Is It Safe For Pregnant Women To Use Magnesium Sulphate?

According to medical experts, magnesium sulphate helps prolong labour by two days and can also be used in the treatment of preeclampsia. But is it really safe?

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There is no doubt that pregnancy is the most exciting phase in a woman’s life. But it is also one where some experience health-related complications including preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and/or preterm labour.
 
To manage these issues, medical experts often look towards alternative remedies. One such remedy involves the use of magnesium sulphate during pregnancy. 
 
According to the experts, magnesium sulphate, also called Epsom salts, is administered for maternal neuroprotection during pregnancy. It can help prolong labour by two days and can also be used in the treatment of preeclampsia.
 
Here’s a look at the benefits and risks of using magnesium sulphate during pregnancy.

Uses of Magnesium Sulphate During Pregnancy

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Magnesium sulfate helps to manage preeclampsia and preterm labour. It is infused on the delivery table or obstetrical floors and takes effect immediately; and is normally given until about 24 hours after the delivery of the baby.
 
Women receiving magnesium sulfate are then hospitalised for close monitoring of the treatment. Let’s understand how magnesium sulphate helps bring these two conditions under control. 

Stall preterm labour

As you know, preterm labour occurs when regular contractions result in the opening of your cervix after week 20 and before week 37 of pregnancy. Preterm labour can result in premature birth. 

One of the main uses of magnesium sulfate or mag in pregnancy is to manage preterm labour.
 
It is a tocolytic that has been used to slow or stop premature labour. According to research, mag may not be able to prevent preterm birth, but it can help stall labour for a short time.
 
Doctors usually use this time in the hope to complete a course of steroids to help the baby’s lungs develop.

Prevent seizures in preeclampsia

Preeclampsia causes high blood pressure, along with other symptoms such as protein in the urine during pregnancy. This makes it a serious pregnancy concern and one that needs close monitoring. 
 
In fact if it is not treated, preeclampsia can develop into eclampsia, a seizure disorder. This is where magnesium sulfate comes into play. It can help prevent seizures in women with severe preeclampsia.

Protect pre-term babies brains

Preterm babies have immature brains at birth. As they grow, they are also at risk of cerebral palsy. Short-term infusions of magnesium sulfate have been shown to help protect the baby’s brain by reducing the incidence of cerebral palsy.
 
Considering all the positive side effects of using magnesium sulphate during pregnancy, don’t be under the impression that there are no side effects.
 
Magnesium sulfate is safe and effective when administered for up to a week. But, the side effects can be extremely uncomfortable, especially when you are pregnant.

Side Effects of Using Magnesium Sulphate During Pregnancy

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Magnesium sulphate is usually considered safe, but sometimes you may experience side effects due to incorrect preparation. Some other factors may be careless monitoring of the patient or incorrect administration. The medical staff must be skilled with the use of magnesium sulphate in an expecting mum.

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There are also risks of magnesium overdose called magnesium toxicity. Taking too much magnesium can be life-threatening to both mother and child. 

Here are some of the side effects which mums can experience:

On Mums

  • Weakness
  • Dizziness
  • Hot flashes
  • Blurred vision
  • Tightness in the chest
  • Vomiting and nausea
  • Loss in reflexes
  • Delay in producing milk
  • Difficulty in labour, which may result in a C-section
Magnesium sulphate infusion can also cause respiratory depression in some women.
 
But despite the possible side effects, magnesium sulfate administration is also known to reduce post-operative pain. Therefore, medical experts need to be sure that its administration is always under the guidance of a senior medical practitioner. It is also advisable to discuss this as an option during your routine pregnancy checkups. 

On Babies

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The side effects of using magnesium sulphate during pregnancy are not only limited to affecting mums, but babies also may experience. Magnesium might cross the placenta to the baby, and they may experience side effects like poor muscle tone and Apgar score.
 
These side effects are usually gone in a day or two. They don’t cause long-term problems. It is important to remember that magnesium sulfate should not be given for longer than seven days. Long-term mag usage can cause low calcium in the baby’s bones.
 
Researchers have also noted that newborns born very early or with very low body weight may be adversely affected by magnesium sulphate use. However, at present, there simply isn’t enough data on such relatively rare cases to state any facts. 

While magnesium sulphate is a possible safe treatment during pregnancy, bear in mind the side effects. Remember, the risk of toxicity from magnesium sulfate is low if you’re dosed appropriately and have normal kidney function.

It is only after carefully weighing in the positives and negatives, take a call whether to allow the administration of magnesium sulphate. 

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Written by

Sarmistha Neogy