In general, most of the pregnancies go well, while in some cases complications occur. Some complications occur during pregnancy, some happen due to any disease (left untreated) which women had before getting pregnant and some occur during delivery. First of all let’s take a look at the health issues or other factors that may increase your risk of complications during pregnancy and these are as follows:
- Diabetes
- HIV
- Cancer
- Hypertension
- Obesity
- Infection
- Kidney issues
- Getting pregnant after 35 years
- Consuming alcohol
- Using drugs
- Habit of smoking
- Any history of miscarriage
Some of the most common pregnancy complications are as follows:
GESTATIONAL DIABETES: One of the complications which gets diagnosed during pregnancy is gestational diabetes. In some cases during pregnancy, either your body is not producing enough insulin or not using it properly which causes gestational diabetes. This requires you making some changes in your diet, doing some exercises or through medication as advised by your doctor. It needs to get in control else it may cause other health issues and complications (increase risk of jaundice, a larger body, and hypoglycemia in the baby). Mostly after delivery, this issue gets sorted out.
PRETERM LABOR: When the baby is born before 37th week is called as preterm labor. Preterm labor can cause premature birth, which affects the health of your baby. In this case, as the baby has not developed completely, so chances of physical, mental, and behavioral disabilities are high. In general, prenatal supplements and healthy lifestyle from the starting of your pregnancy can reduce the risk of preterm labor. But if still you are facing this issue, than some medication advised by your doctor can help you to reduce this risk and its also suggested to take bed rest.
MISCARRIAGE: The term miscarriage is described as the loss of the fetus in the first trimester of your pregnancy. The cause is not always known, but in most of the cases genetic abnormality, placenta issue, an abnormal uterus, weak cervix are some of the common reasons that can lead to a miscarriage. The main symptoms are heavy bleeding, cramps, and pain. They are of many types like complete, incomplete, missed, threatened, etc. The further procedure depends on the type of miscarriage you’ve had. Some women experience this complication before even knowing that they are pregnant. This complication affects you physically as well as emotionally. Try to maintain a healthy lifestyle and treat your chronic disease (if have any) before getting pregnant to reduce the risk of a miscarriage.
INFECTION: If you get infectious during pregnancy (like UTI, bacterial, viral, influenza, and yeast infection), then sometimes it proves very harmful for you and your baby’s health and hence immediate treatment is needed. If not treated on time, these may cause severe complications in your pregnancy. Try to wash your hands properly and more often and check out the list of foods that you should avoid during pregnancy to minimize the risk of infection.
HYPEREMESIS GRAVIDARUM: Feeling nauseous or morning sickness is one of the common symptoms of pregnancy during the first trimester. But in some cases it goes severe throughout the pregnancy which proves very harmful for you, that complication is called as hyperemesis gravidarum. This can lead to weight loss and dehydration, which can also put your baby at risk. If you feel severe vomiting and nausea that you can’t even eat anything, immediately consult your doctor. Your doctor may make changes in your diet and get it treated through medication.
HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE: In hypertension, it gets harder for blood to reach the placenta because of the narrowing of the blood carrying arteries. During pregnancy, if it’s not treated on time, it may put your baby’s health at risk and may cause many other complications as well like preterm delivery, gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, placental abruption, etc. If you have hypertension before pregnancy, get treatment before getting pregnant, if you experience it during pregnancy (called as gestational hypertension), then it normally fades away after delivery. Whichever the case is, get your treatment, and keep monitoring it regularly.
ANEMIA: Lower number of red blood cells in the body is termed as anemia, which is generally due to the deficiency of iron. During pregnancy, it can create complications like preterm labor and low birth weight. You feel pale, tired, and breath shortness in this condition. So talk to your doctor, get it checked and have your supplements like iron and folic acid to reduce the risk of anemia during pregnancy.
PLACENTAL ABRUPTION: Placenta is the main organ that provides oxygen and nutrients to your baby. During pregnancy, the case in which the placenta gets detached from the uterus is called as placental abruption. The cause is not well known but will put your baby at risk. You may feel bleeding, pain, cramps, and contractions. It’s most common in the third trimester. In general, women you have chronic hypertension, preeclampsia, who drink, smoke, and use drugs are at high risk of placental abruption. Get it checked by your doctor and the treatment depends upon the type of placental abruption i.e. partial or complete.
ECTOPIC PREGNANCY: The condition when the fertilized egg implants outside the uterus while conceiving generally settled in fallopian tubes is called as an ectopic pregnancy. This complication may damage your reproductive system and is life-threatening. Some of the common symptoms are severe pain and bleeding. The women who had tubal sterilization procedures are at more risk of this complication. This needs to be treated as soon as possible. It may be treated by removing the fetus through medication and surgery.
AMNIOTIC FLUID COMPLICATION: The fluid inside the womb around the fetus is called as amniotic fluid. It helps to keep the fetus safe. Too much and too little of amniotic fluid is a problem and can cause complications in your pregnancy. Too much of amniotic fluid can cause preterm labor, placental abruption, premature breaking of amniotic membranes. And too little of amniotic fluid can affect the development of your baby and may cause birth defects, abnormality or stillbirth. Mostly it gets detected in the second trimester. If there is excess amniotic fluid, then it gets treated by draining excess fluids and in the case of low amniotic fluid, it gets treated by pumping saline solution in the amniotic sac. Else your doctor will let you know about the treatment as per your situation.