My Baby My World

A word of warning: This is not going to be a happy-go-lucky type of article.  Unfortunately, there is no way to package the reality of pregnancy complications without being a little grim. That said, don’t panic and don’t turn into a hypochondriac. This is just a list of possible, not probable, complications that can happen during the course of a pregnancy. From a medical perspective, most pregnancies proceed fairly uneventfully.

You will likely find that your partner’s OB-GYN is rather ho-hum and relaxed about your pregnancy. That said, you and/or your partner may think otherwise… stretch marks, mood swings and morning sickness can seem pretty eventful to the individuals experiencing them. However, major medical conditions are not the norm. Although you may be inclined to skip this article, the Funky Stork suggests that you at least skim it so that you have some idea of what constitutes a pregnancy complication. Take a deep breath and begin.

Gestational diabetes

Gestational diabetes (or high blood sugar during pregnancy) usually develops in the last few months of pregnancy and usually goes away after your baby is born. This is actually a common pregnancy complication, which is why all pregnant women (who are receiving prenatal care) are tested for it around the 28th week of pregnancy. Many women develop it because their bodies cannot produce enough insulin, thereby preventing their bodies from using food properly. Untreated gestational diabetes often results in a very large baby and very difficult birth.

Signs and Symptoms:

– Excessive hunger and/or thirst

– Recurrent vaginal infections

– Increase in blood pressure

– Sugar in the urine (when tested in your practitioner’s office)

By adhering to a good diet, controlling weight gain and getting regular exercise, your partner will be able to reduce the risk of getting gestational diabetes.

Low birth weight

Most low-birth weight cases are preventable. A baby is considered to have a low-birth weight if it weighs less than 5 pounds 8 ounces when it is born. Most cases are caused by poor nutrition, excessive anxiety, inadequate prenatal care and substance use (cigarettes, alcohol, and drugs). It can also be cause by an untreated STD or other contagious disease.

Babies who are born with a low birth weight are more likely to develop respiratory infections, blindness, learning disabilities, cerebral palsy and heart infections.

EARLY MISCARRIAGE

The unfortunate truth is that early miscarriages are very common. It is estimated that 40-65% of pregnancies end in miscarriage in the first trimester, with more than half of these occurring before the woman even knows she is pregnant. Fortunately, most women who have a miscarriage will go on to have a normal pregnancy in the future.

Signs and Symptoms:

– Bleeding

– Cramps or pain in the center of the lower abdomen or back

– Clots or grayish matter may be passed

Most miscarriages are a result of a defect in the embryo or fetus and cannot be prevented. However, medical experts have found that women can reduce their risk of early miscarriage if they avoid alcohol, cigarettes and drugs, and also take a good prenatal vitamin that includes folic acid and other B vitamins.

LATE MISCARRIAGE

Late miscarriages refer to any spontaneous expulsion of the fetus between the 13th and 20th week of pregnancy. After the 20th week, the fetus can live outside the uterus (albeit with intensive medical care) and thus, is called a preterm birth.

Signs and symptoms:

– Pink discharge indicates a threatened miscarriage

– Bleeding and cramping may mean a miscarriage is inevitable

Preterm labor

Labor is considered preterm if it occurs between the 20th and 37th week of pregnancy. There are a number of conditions that may increase the risk of preterm labor, including a weak or incompetent cervix, previous second-trimester abortions or miscarriages and severe kidney or bladder infections.

Signs and Symptoms:

– Low, dull backache

– Menstrual-like and intestinal cramping

– Pressure in the lower abdomen, back or thighs

– Change in vaginal discharge

If your partner is at risk of having preterm labor, her doctor will ask to see her more often and her cervix will be checked at each visit.

Ectopic pregnancy

An ectopic pregnancy is when the fertilized egg implants in an area other than the womb, such as the ovary, abdomen or cervix. However, ectopic pregnancies are more likely to occur in the fallopian tube. And in very rare situations, pregnancy can even occur in both

Signs and Symptoms:

– Sharp pain in abdomen or pelvis

– Vaginal bleeding (occurs in 75% of ectopic pregnancies)

– Dizziness or fainting

Preeclampsia(aka pregnancy-induced hypertension)

This is a fatal condition (for both the mother and baby) that occurs in some women during pregnancy. There is no known cause, but it is suspected that poor nutrition plays an important role. This problem usually develops after the 20th week of pregnancy.

Signs and Symptoms:

– Severe headache

– Stomach pain

– Excessive swelling of the feet and hands

– High blood pressure

– Blurry vision or seeing spots the womb and the tube at the same time (referred to as a heterotopic pregnancy).

Don’t worry, most women with preeclampsia deliver healthy babies. The concern is that, if untreated, the preeclampsia will develop intoeclampsia. Eclampsia results in seizures and is very dangerous for both the mother and baby. However, preeclampsia is often detected early enough to prevent any major problems. Yet another reason to ensure that your partner is getting regular prenatal care.

If your partner is concerned with sudden swelling and the possibility of preeclampsia, she should definitely speak with her prenatal care practitioner.

PlacentaPREVIA

You should know this is not a common pregnancy problem, with only 1 in 250 pregnancies having placenta previa. Without getting too technical, placenta previa occurs when the placenta, which is the organ that nourishes the baby during pregnancy, moves and covers the opening to the uterus (aka cervix). This is problematic because it makes vaginal delivery impossible and a caesarean delivery inevitable.

Signs and Symptoms:

– Painless bleeding during the second and third trimester

– Prematurecontractions

– Uterus measuring larger than it should

The risk of placenta previa increases with the mother’s age and the number of pregnancies she has had in the past.

CHORIOAMNIONITIS

This is an infection of the amniotic fluid and fetal membranes, and is diagnosed in 1-2% of pregnancies. The infection is believed to be a major cause of preterm labor.

Signs and Symptoms:

– Fever

– Increased heart rate in mother and fetus

– Tender or painful uterus

– A foul odor of the amniotic fluid

Since the symptoms of chorioamnionitis may resemble other conditions or medical problems, it is always important to consult a physician for a diagnosis.