Having a pregnancy duration devoid of complications is what all pregnant women hope for. Sadly, this doesn't always happen and unexpected complications could sometime arise.
These complications are bad for both the mother and the child and if not caught and treated in time, could possibly lead to either the mother or child losing their lives.
While there are a few complications that may arise in pregnancy, here are seven of the commonest ones to look out for:
Seven Common Complications in Pregnancy
Gestational Diabetes
Some women who have never before been diagnosed of diabetes usually develop high blood glucose in pregnancy, a condition known as gestational diabetes.
While gestational diabetes is an unhealthy state for any pregnant woman, the good news is that only about 7% of women who come down with it develop complications.
Gestational diabetes usually clears of its own after delivery. However, it places you at risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Preterm Labour
Preterm labour or premature labour is another health complication pregnant women are faced with.
It happens when your body starts to prepare for labour way earlier than it should and could end in you birthing a premature baby that's at risk of a few health complications.
Preterm labour is caused by factors such as unhealthy lifestyle habits(like drinking and smoking), not getting adequate prenatal care, being overweight, carrying a baby who of it's own has one or more birth defects, having a family history of birth defects, or having other health issues like high blood pressure or pre-eclampsia.
Preterm labour, like normal labour, comes with symptoms like cramping, backache, fluid leakage, frequent contractions, vaginal bleeding, and vaginal discharge.
If you're lucky to pick up on these smptoms on time, the premature labour can be stopped by your doctor or midwife using medicine, IV fluids, or antibiotics.
Low Amniotic Fluid
Low amniotic fluid levels or oligohydramnios, is a health condition experienced by 4 - 8% of pregnant women.
It occurs when the amniotic fluid that aids the baby's development measures less than 5 centimeters.
This condition which can occur at anytime during the course of a woman's pregnancy, is more common in the last trimester.
Some complications stemming from having low amniotic fluid include:
- Giving birth to a baby with certain birth defects.
- Having a miscarriage or stillbirth
- Premature labour and
- Intrauterine growth restriction
Treatment for low amniotic fluid levels depends on the period at which it occurs. Women who experience this condition in the first half of their pregnancy.
Women are mostly given extra fluid intravenously to correct this complication and closely monitored.
Placenta Previa
Placenta previa occurs when a baby's placenta covers the mother's cervix either partially or completely.
It causes complications like bleeding during pregnancy or at labour and might lead to you having a caesarian section.
Placenta previa has no known cause, mostly occurs in second or third trimesters, and usually presents with a bleeding of bright red blood.
Some factors that predisposes a woman to placenta previa include:
- Being 35 years and above
- Haven given birth before
- Carrying a multiple babies
- Having a scar in your uterus
- Having a history of placenta previa
- Unhealthy lifestyle habits like smoking or the use of cocaine.
- Being of other descents other than white.
Treatment for placenta previa include very close monitoring, control of the bleeding, and a likely caesarian section.
High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure in pregnancy could lead to complications for both mother and child and is caused by any of the following:
- A sedendary lifestyle
- Being overweight
- Being over 40 years of age
- Having a family history of high blood pressure
- Unhealthy lifestyle habits like drinking or smoking
- Carrying multiple fetuses
High blood pressure in pregnancy, if not properly treated, could lead to other health complications like pre-eclampsia, placenta abruption, preterm labour, or HELLP.
Treatment usually include very strict monitoring and the use of drugs like methyldopa and labetalol
Infection
Pregnant women are susceptible to infections while pregnant due to a surge in their hormones.
The four common infections pregnant women come down with include
- yeast infection
- bacteria vaginosis
- tricomoniasis and
- Group B Stre
While vagina infections in pregnancy are usually not serious if treated on time, uterine infections are more harmful as they could cause harm to your baby, stunt it's development, or lead to preterm labour.
If you suspect any kind of infection, even the seemingly benign vagina infections, you should have it checked out and treated as untreated vaginal infection is what leads to uterine infection when the bacteria finds it's way into the uterus.
Depression
Depression in pregnancy, while not a physical complication, is also a health challenge pregnant women go through as an estimated 14 - 20% of pregnant women go through it.
Untreated depression in pregnancy could likely lead to indulging in unhealthy lifestyle habits like drinking or smoking which could unturned harm your baby.