Pregnancy Complications

Pregnancy complications are those factors that can occur during the pregnancy or after delivering the child, which can lead to serious consequences including occurence of birth defects. These complications can arise due to a variety of factors. One such factor is exposure to potential birth defect producing substances called teratogens that include certain chemicals, drugs, or infections in the body. Teratogens may also bring about a halt in the pregnancy.

What is Ectopic Pregnancy?

Ectopic pregnancy is a pregnancy complication caused by the self-misplacement of a fertilized egg somewhere outside the uterus of a female. The development of pregnancy in a woman who is affected with this problem happens without any dedicated space or nurturing tissue. The fallopian tube is the usual target of a wayward fertilized egg and for this reason, ectopic pregnancies are also known as tubal pregnancies. The growth of the fetus can destroy the organ that the fertilized egg targeted. This organ can be ripped open by the fertilized egg and in such a scenario, severe bleeding will ensue, which can be life-threatening for the mother. In the case of a classical ectopic pregnancy, the baby delivered will not be born alive.

Possible Complications in Pregnancy

Pregnant women can be affected by conditions that are unrelated with pregnancies. Among such conditions, some make pregnant women or the foetus more vulnerable to other health hazards. Some of the health hazards arising from problematic conditions are fever and infections. Some problematic conditions necessitate abdominal surgery. Other possible Pregnancy complications include:

Gestational Diabetes

Diabetes that is associated with pregnancy is called gestational diabetes. According to estimates, around 1 to 3% of pregnant women are vulnerable to pregnancy diabetes disorder. Obese women and women belonging to certain ethnic groups, particularly Native Americans, Pacific Islanders, and women of Mexican, Indian, and Asian descent are more at risk of developing this type of diabetes. Leaving pregnancy diabetes disorder untreated can make pregnant women more susceptible to pregnancy associated health problems and the foetus could stop growing further. This pregnancy complication can also lead to thyroid problems.

Anaemia

Pregnant women sometimes are contracted by anaemia due to the deficiency of iron. Iron demand doubles during pregnancy as iron is one of the components that make up the red blood cells in the foetus. Inadequate production of folic acid can lead to anaemia. This can be treated by intake of iron and folic acid supplements during pregnancy.

Placental Complications

The placental complications include:

Placental Abruption

In this pregnancy complication, the placenta gets detached prematurely from the wall of the uterus. The placenta can come off completely or hang loosely from the wall. The cause of this problem, found more commonly among women having high blood pressure, still remains unknown.

Severe complications include:

Placenta Previa

In this, the placenta gets implanted over or near the cervix, in the lower instead of the upper part of the uterus. The opening of the cervix can be completely or partially covered by the placenta. 1 in 200 deliveries is affected by this problem, which is usually seen in women who have already conceived a child before.

Bleeding During Pregnancy

Bleeding during any phase of pregnancy should be taken very seriously and your doctor should be contacted if this happens. Vaginal bleeding is the secretion of blood from the vagina.

Preterm Labour

This problem is caused by regular contractions that result in the cervix starting to open or thin out before the pregnancy is 37 weeks old. A baby delivered before the 37th week is considered prematurely born.

Postpartum Depression

This type of depression occurs after pregnancy and can occur due to hormonal changes in a woman's body. Mild antidepressants can be employed to stabilize the level of hormones.

Sciatic Neuralgia

This pregnancy complication is a pain that affects the portion of the body that stretches from the buttocks to the foot or it remains localized in the buttocks and thigh.

The affected area may feel numbness or weakness. Sciatic neuralgia arises from a herniated disc in the back and can be contracted after childbirth.

Toxaemia of Pregnancy

It is a problem that can occur both after and during a pregnancy. It commonly occurs after pregnancy. Toxaemia is hypertension caused by pregnancy and it is considered as a very serious condition. It may cause considerable rise in the blood pressure, swelling of ankles and hands, sudden weight gain and protein in urine.

Pregnancy problems should be avoided at any cost because not only your health is at stake, but also the baby you are going to deliver. Early diagnosis and treatment can provide sufficient relief from almost all pregnancy complications.