You may have a history of specific health conditions before becoming pregnant. Sometimes, during pregnancy, you may develop certain conditions. On the other hand, during a C-section, you may rarely experience surgical injuries.

In these cases or if you have any unusual signs, you need to be admitted to an SICU. So, when you're pregnant or approaching labour, consider visiting a reputed maternity hospital in Delhi with an SICU.

Also, Read - The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) For Newborn Baby Care

What is SICU?

Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU) is a speciality ICU where patients who are critically ill after surgery, are offered specialised care and treatment. Sometimes, patients are admitted to this unit as a precautionary measure. If they show unstable symptoms, they're constantly monitored to identify any risks/complications and prevent deterioration.

Patients who need surgical intensive care may require support to regulate their heart rhythm, kidney function, breathing or blood pressure or support any malfunctioning organ.

Consider researching a leading maternity hospital in Delhi with a state-of-the-art SICU in advance right after you get pregnant.

Also, Read - Your 1st month Pregnancy Diet Chart

Conditions That May Need Surgical Intensive Care

Obstetric patients who are admitted to an SICU in a maternity hospital in Delhi, usually include those admitted during pregnancy, 6 weeks of a pregnancy's end, labour or delivery.

Sepsis, obstetric haemorrhage and hypertensive disorders are some of the common causes for ICU admissions of pregnant women.

Other reasons for such admissions during pregnancy and the postpartum period are:

• Respiratory conditions: These include acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), pulmonary thromboembolism, aspiration, cystic fibrosis and asthma exacerbation.

Pregnant women usually have a higher risk for mechanical ventilation and ARDS than those who aren't pregnant. This condition often happens with sepsis secondary to kidney infections or influenza. It can even happen as a complication of obstetric problems like preeclampsia or amniotic fluid embolism. Pregnant patients with signs of pulmonary conditions may experience respiratory failure. In that case, they need clinical vigilance. 

• Infections: These include urinary tract infections, listeriosis, viral hepatitis E, Plasmodium falciparum malaria, coccidioidomycosis, varicella pneumonia, influenza (H1N1) infection, HIV infection, community-acquired pneumonia, toxoplasmosis, cytomegalovirus and sepsis.
• Hematologic conditions: These include venous thrombosis, disseminated intravascular coagulation, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura/ postpartum hemolytic uremic syndrome, anaemia and sickle cell disease including acute chest syndrome.
• Cardiovascular conditions: These include Eisenmenger syndrome, valvular disease, coarctation of the aorta, primary pulmonary hypertension and cyanotic congenital heart disease.
• Renal conditions: These include acute renal failure, chronic renal insufficiency and glomerulonephritis.
• Gastrointestinal conditions: These include bowel obstruction, appendicitis and pancreatitis.
• Neurologic conditions: These include epilepsy, intracranial haemorrhage, intracranial tumours, multiple sclerosis and myasthenia gravis.
• Endocrine conditions: These include prolactinoma, Sheehan syndrome, diabetic ketoacidosis and diabetes mellitus.
• Rheumatologic conditions: These include polymyositis, scleroderma and systemic lupus erythematosus.
• Other causes: These include cirrhosis, fatty liver of pregnancy, trauma, drug poisoning/overdose and anaesthetic or surgical complications of a C-section. During a Caesarean delivery, if surgical injuries happen, for instance, to the patient's bowel or bladder, additional surgery may be required in the SICU.

If you live in some other city like Bangalore, consider visiting a top child hospital in Bangalore with an SICU during your pregnancy and for labour and delivery.

Also, Read - Fruits to Avoid During Pregnancy Diet