AD. Some pregnancies have complications from mild to severe ones. You must know these complications, what they mean, and when to see a doctor. Some of these complications can affect the health of the mother, the baby, or both. However, early prenatal care makes it easy to detect these issues and treat them to avoid putting yourself and the baby at risk. Here is a short overview of some pregnancy complications.

Pregnant mother looking over baby's crib.

[Photo by Ömürden Cengiz on Unsplash]

Which Women Are at Risk of Pregnancy Complications?

You must speak with your physician before getting pregnant, especially if you have any chronic illness or condition. Speaking with your doctor before pregnancy or during the first stage helps minimise the chances of any complications happening. In case you have any of the following complications and diseases, you are at a higher risk, which is why seeing a doctor first is advisable.

  • Cancer
  • High blood pressure
  • Diabetes
  • STI and HIV
  • Anaemia
  • Infections
  • Kidney issues

You may also be at risk of developing complications if you:

  • Smoke cigarettes
  • Drink alcohol
  • Get pregnant after 35 or at a young age
  • Use illegal drugs
  • Have a history of preterm birth

The Common Pregnancy Complications

It may be hard to differentiate between usual symptoms during pregnancy and complications. However, it is best to see a doctor if the problem becomes severe. Here are the common ones

Declining Baby Activity

During pregnancy, you can tell when the baby’s activity declines significantly. Before you see a doctor, the best way to tell is by eating or drinking something and then lying on the side to see if the baby moves. It would help if you also counted kicks and the intervals to know when something has changed. Seeing a doctor will be the right thing if you think it is abnormal. The expert may recommend an ultrasound to confirm if the bay is moving or growing. Therefore, seek immediate medical care.

Bleeding

Bleeding can mean a lot of things during pregnancy. You could have an ectopic pregnancy if you have severe bleeding accompanied by severe menstrual-like pain and abdominal pain. It could also mean placental eruption if it happens during the tri-semester or a miscarriage. If you are bleeding, you should not hesitate to see a doctor.

Severe Vomiting

Vomiting and nausea are expected during the first stages of pregnancy. However, they subdue with time. If you have severe vomiting or nausea, it could mean there is an underlying problem. Lack of eating and drinking can cause dehydration, especially if the nausea is accompanied by vomiting. Let your healthcare provider know about this problem. They will recommend safe medicines to help you.

High Blood Pressure

This is another prevalent problem with pregnant women. The problem occurs when the arteries narrow. High blood pressure is a dangerous complication associated with conditions like preeclampsia. It may also cause other issues like preterm birth and underweight newborns. Therefore, it is vital to keep the pressure in control throughout pregnancy. 

Women experience different complications during pregnancy. Some are normal, while others put you and the baby at risk. Therefore, if you are experiencing any of the four or any other pregnancy complications, you must seek help from your healthcare provider. 

nextprev

2 comments

  • Jenny in Neverland says:

    Although I've never been pregnant, I am familiar with these complications that can happen. It's scary to think about but I guess it happens to so many women that doctors know exactly what to do to manage it!

    Reply
  • Cristina Rosano says:

    I have never been pregnant, but I am sure this will help so many others and it's always great to check with doctors in case something feels different than before. Thank you for sharing! x

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *