**Response:**

Appendicitis is a surgical emergency that can occur during pregnancy, often due to the enlarged uterus pressing on other organs. Surgery is essential to prevent dangerous complications such as a ruptured appendix, peritonitis, and severe infection, which threaten the health of both the mother and the fetus.

For pregnant women, any abdominal surgery, including appendectomy, ovarian cyst removal, adnexal torsion, or other surgical conditions, can increase the risk of threatened miscarriage or threatened preterm birth. This is because the uterus can become irritated during and after surgery, leading to contractions that may affect the pregnancy.

After surgery, close monitoring of the fetal status, uterine contractions, and signs of threatened miscarriage or threatened preterm birth is necessary. Depending on the case, doctors may prescribe supportive measures to limit uterine contractions and help stabilize the pregnancy.

An appendectomy is performed outside the uterus and does not alter the uterus's ability to contract during labor. Therefore, if the pregnancy remains stable and there are no other obstetric contraindications, appendectomy is not a mandatory reason for a cesarean section.

Dr. Nguyen Ba My Nhi, Specialist Level II, assists a pregnant woman with a vaginal birth at Tam Anh General Hospital, TP HCM. Illustration: Nhu Ngoc

Dr. Nguyen Ba My Nhi, Specialist Level II, assists a pregnant woman with a vaginal birth at Tam Anh General Hospital, TP HCM. Illustration: Nhu Ngoc

Cesarean sections are typically indicated by obstetric factors or cases involving direct intervention on the uterus. An example is a pregnant woman with stitches on the uterine body due to obstetric complications.

The patient's history of two previous successful vaginal births is a good prognostic factor for a vaginal birth in this pregnancy. She should continue regular antenatal check-ups as scheduled, adhere to the treating doctor's instructions, and monitor for abnormal signs such as intermittent abdominal pain, vaginal bleeding or fluid discharge, or decreased fetal movement.

Dr. Nguyen Ba My Nhi, Specialist Level II

Director of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Center

Tam Anh General Hospital System, TP HCM