Most pregnancies do not have major complications; however, some symptoms during pregnancy should not be ignored.
Here is a quick guide on some of the top pregnancy complications to watch out for:
1. Gestational diabetes
Pregnancy complications
Studies show that about 10 percent of pregnant women in the US develop this condition.
The condition is common enough; however, it does not pose serious complications in most women.
Healthcare providers routinely conduct glucose screening for expectant women from 6-7 months.
Most women can manage it by keeping their blood sugar under control.
Healthcare providers also recommend a balanced diet and appropriate exercise for expectant women who experience this condition.
With proper medical care, exercise and good diet, women with gestational diabetes can have healthy babies.
2. Ectopic pregnancy
This occurs when the fertilized egg gets implanted outside the uterus. Basically one out of fifty pregnancies is ectopic. Since most ectopic pregnancies happen in fallopian tubes, they are often known as tubal pregnancies.
Violeta Savrov suggests that diagnosing this type of pregnancy early is critical since the growing embryo can rupture your fallopian tube. This can result in internal bleeding that can be fatal.
Currently, there is no known technique of transferring ectopic pregnancy into the uterus; the only option is to terminate the pregnancy.
3. Low amniotic fluid
The amniotic fluid protects and supports your baby throughout the pregnancy. When there is too little of the fluid, the condition is known as oligohydramnios.
Studies show that about 4 percent of pregnant women experience low amniotic fluid levels at some point during their pregnancy, this occurs especially during the 3rd trimester.
If you experience low amniotic fluid, your healthcare provider will monitor your pregnancy closely to ensure that the baby is growing normally. If the condition develops towards the end of your pregnancy, labor will be induced.
4. Preeclampsia
This is among the serious pregnancy complications to watch out for as it affects 5 percent of all pregnant women. Most expectant women who develop this condition experience mild symptoms close to their due date.
If the condition is dealt with promptly, the mother and baby will do just fine, however, if not treated it can cause life-threatening complications. If the condition persists, your healthcare provider will advise you to have an early delivery.
5. Placenta previa
This condition occurs when the placenta is lying low in your uterus just next to the covering of the cervix.
Placenta previa does not cause complications early in pregnancy, but if the placenta remains low as your pregnancy progresses, it can result in bleeding. This can lead to other complications that may require you to deliver early.
To catch this problem early, your healthcare provider will conduct mid-pregnancy ultrasound exams. Since only a small percentage of all pregnant women who have this condition still have it when they are due, you are highly likely to deliver normally.
If the condition persists, you may have to deliver by Cesarean-section.
6. Bleeding
Bleeding is one of the pregnancy complications to watch out for. Donnica Moore, M.D and health expert on women say that any bleeding during pregnancy should never be ignored.
Bleeding means different things to different mothers during their pregnancies. If you are bleeding and experiencing menstrual-like cramps, you might be having an ectopic pregnancy.
Apart from an ectopic pregnancy, heavy bleeding and abdominal cramping can be a sign of miscarriage, especially during the 1st or 2nd trimester.
On the other hand, bleeding with abdominal pain in the 3rd trimester may signify placental abruption. This happens when the placenta gets separated from the lining of the uterus.
7. Significant decrease in the activity level of the baby
While it may be normal for a previously active baby to have less energy, you need to determine if there is a problem when the baby’s activity level decreases.
Health experts suggest that you should drink something cold or eat then lie on your back to see if the baby will start moving.
Nicole Rudock, MD and assistant professor of maternal medicine at the University of Texas say that there is no optimal number of movements.
She says that you should establish a baseline and have a subjective perception of whether your baby is more active or less.
Generally, if you have ten or more kicks in two hours, it shows your baby is still active. Anything less than 10 kicks in 2 hours should be a sign that you should consult a doctor.
8. Broken water
You are walking around and suddenly there is a rush of water down your legs, this means that your water could have broken.
The flood running down your legs could be urine which tends to leak as a result of the enlarged uterus exerting pressure on the bladder.
To avoid doubt, go to the bathroom and empty your bladder. If the fluid continues leaking, your water has broken and you need to get medical assistance.
The above are just some of the common pregnancy complications to watch out for. Here the rule of the thumb is to monitor your health throughout pregnancy and consult your healthcare provider when you notice anything unusual.
