Pregnancy is a transformative and life-altering journey for many mothers-to-be and families. However, certain pregnancy complications can pose significant risks to both maternal and fetal health. While most of these complications are minor and can be dealt with quickly, others may be fatal and may require medical intervention.
Obtaining early and regular care during pregnancy can significantly reduce the risk of pregnancy complications. This can also enable women healthcare providers and doctors to diagnose, manage, and treat them before life-threatening complications occur.
This blog looks at the most common pregnancy complications and some methods for managing and dealing with them to ensure maternal and fetal well-being.
Introduction to Pregnancy Complications
Pregnancy complications are any health problems arising during, before, and after pregnancy. From morning sickness to gestational diabetes and even Miscarriage, these complications can range in severity and duration. According to statistics by WHO, every day in 2020, almost 800 women died from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth. This is why expectant mothers and their families must know the complications and symptoms well. By recognizing the warning signs, mothers-to-be can be better prepared to manage and cope with any issues before they get serious.
A Look at the Common Pregnancy Complications
1. High Blood Pressure
Also known as hypertension, high blood pressure is a common condition that causes pregnancy complications. Hypertension occurs due to the narrowing of the arteries carrying blood from the heart to the organs. This narrowing of the arteries can make it difficult for blood and nutrients to reach the placenta. In turn, a reduction in blood flow slows down the growth of the fetus, posing the risk of preeclampsia and preterm labor.
2. Gestational Diabetes
Gestational diabetes occurs when a mother who did not have diabetes before pregnancy gets diabetes during pregnancy. The hormonal changes during pregnancy cause the body to not make enough insulin or not use it usually. This means that the glucose builds up in the blood, causing high blood sugar and preeclampsia.
3. Preeclampsia
Research suggests that preeclampsia, one of the most common pregnancy complications, is responsible for over 50,000 maternal and 500,000 fetal deaths worldwide. Women with preeclampsia experience severe to mild hypertension and high blood pressure as a result of the constriction of new blood vessels that form during pregnancy. This could result in stunted growth of the fetus, preterm birth, and even placental abruption.
4. Preterm Labor
Another common pregnancy complication is preterm labor. Any labor that begins before 36 weeks of pregnancy is termed preterm labor. Likewise, an infant born before 36 weeks faces many health issues. This is because organs such as the lungs and brain finish developing in the final weeks before delivery (i.e. 39-40 weeks). Certain risks, such as a shortened cervix, previous history of preterm births, or infections, can cause preterm labor.
5. Placenta Previa
Placenta previa is a common pregnancy complication when the placenta covers the cervix partially or entirely. Some common signs associated with placenta previa are painless vaginal bleeding as well as preterm birth and cesarean delivery. This placenta previa can result in severe bleeding, placental abruption, and maternal hemorrhage, posing a threat to the life of the mother and the fetus.
6. Miscarriage
Miscarriage occurs as a loss of pregnancy from natural causes before 20 weeks. According to research, about 8-15% of clinically-recognized pregnancies and 30% of all pregnancies end in miscarriages. Common signs of Miscarriage include vaginal spotting, bleeding, and fluid or tissue passing from the vagina. This can result in severe loss of blood and fetal death if not addressed immediately.
7. Stillbirth
Loss of a fetus after 20 weeks of pregnancy can result in the baby being born without signs of life. Signs of stillbirth may include slow fetal movement and no heartbeat detected during checkup. Some common causes of pregnancy complications arising from stillbirth are placental problems, chronic health conditions, and infections.
8. Other Complications
Other problems arising from factors that can cause pregnancy complications are severe, persistent nausea, vomiting, and dizziness. These can occur due to iron deficiency anemia, a condition where the mother’s body lacks healthy blood cells needed to make iron for the fetus’s blood. Symptoms include shortness of breath, fatigue, rapid heartbeat, and slow immune function.
Recognizing the Symptoms Leading to Pregnancy Complications
Identifying Signs of High Blood Pressure
These are some of the symptoms of high blood pressure during pregnancy:
- Painful headaches
- Temporary blindness
- Light sensitivity
- Swollen feet, ankles, or legs
- Pain near or around the ribcage
- Blood in the urine
Recognizing Gestational Diabetes Symptoms
Some common symptoms that indicate a pregnant woman has gestational diabetes are:
- Fatigue
- Increased thirst
- Blurred vision
- Slow healing of wounds
- Nausea, vomiting
- Increased hunger
Symptoms of Preeclampsia to Watch Out For
Common symptoms of preeclampsia to watch out for are:
- High blood pressure
- Protein in the urine
- Persistent headaches
- Vision changes
- Pain in the upper abdomen
- Swelling
- Decrease in the fetal movement
Warning Signs of Preterm Labor
Here are some common signs of preterm labor that can pose a risk for pregnancy complications:
- Regular, painful contractions in the uterus
- Watery, mucus-like vaginal discharge
- Pelvic pressure
- Lower back pain
- Sudden bloody or watery discharge from the vagina
Knowing the risks of Miscarriage
Here are vital factors to know regarding the risks of Miscarriage
- Prior miscarriage history
- Chromosomal abnormalities
- Lifestyle factors such as smoking and use of drugs
- Hormonal imbalance
- Stress and anxiety
Managing Pregnancy Complications
Pregnancy-related complications are a leading cause of fetal and maternal deaths every year. This is why a proactive approach to managing pregnancy complications and problems is required to ensure the sound health of both the fetus and the mother.
Here are some ways to manage pregnancy complications:
- Regular and Prenatal Checkups: Close monitoring by healthcare providers can allow for the early detection of complications before they become serious.
- Dietary modifications: Pregnant women must inspect and modify their diets, adding enough fruits, vegetables, fiber, and water. A diet plan can mitigate the risks of high blood sugar in the bodies of pregnant women with gestational diabetes.
- Medication to Control Blood Pressure: Pregnant women must monitor their blood pressure closely and regularly take medication to keep it in control to avoid the risk of preeclampsia and hypertension.
- Lifestyle Adjustments: Some lifestyle adjustments, such as quitting smoking, staying active, and maintaining a healthy weight, can go a long way in ensuring a healthy pregnancy
- Seeking Counselling: Emotional support and stress management techniques can help pregnant women navigate the challenges and problems related to pregnancy complications.
- Coping with stress and Anxiety: Proper counselling and consultation with a specialist can ensure the mother does not go into depression during or after pregnancy. This is necessary to make sure the mother and the fetus are healthy and safe, reducing the chances of potential early delivery and stillbirth.
Conclusion
Pregnancy complications and problems are common, resulting in many health conditions, miscarriages, and even death of mothers every day. Therefore, it is necessary to recognize the symptoms and the risks associated with these complications to ensure a higher chance of a healthy pregnancy and a good health outcome for the mother and the fetus.
