Pregnancy Complications
January 1, 2008
Complications of pregnancy are the symptoms and problems that are associated with pregnancy.
There are both routine problems and serious, even potentially fatal problems. The routine problems are normal complications, and pose no significant danger to either the woman or the fetus. Serious pregnancy complications can cause both maternal death and fetal death if untreated.
Most women have normal, uncomplicated pregnancies and deliveries. Unfortunately there are some women that experience some pregnancy complications during their pregnancy.
Here are some of the best known pregnancy complications to be aware of…
Ectopic Pregnancy
A ectopic pregnancy is when a fertilized egg implants outside of the uterus, most often in the fallopian tubes. Even though this could happen to any women pregnancy you are more likely to have an ectopic pregnancy if you have had a pelvic inflammatory disease or other sexually transmitted disease. It could also happen if you had an ectopic pregnancy previously or have had some previous tubal surgery.
Gestational Diabetes
Gestational Diabetes is a type of diabetes that occurs only during pregnancy. Gestational Diabetes affects the way your body uses sugar (glucose) which is your body’s main source of fuel. Good news is it can be managed during your pregnancy by eating healthy foods, exercising regularly and in some cases taking medication. Blood sugar levels typically return to normal soon after delivery.
Hepatitis B
HIV Infection/Sexually Transmitted Diseases
According to the March of Dimes, there are about 6,000 to 7,000 women infected with HIV give birth every year. The bad part about this is the mother can give HIV to there child. HIV transmission from mother to child during pregnancy, labor, delivery or breastfeeding is called prenatal transmission. Prenatal HIV transmission is the most common way children are infected with HIV.
Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG)
HG is a severe form of morning sickness, with unrelenting, excessive pregnancy-related nausea and /or vomiting that prevents adequate intake of food and fluids. The serious , and sometimes fatal complications of HG are almost always avoided with aggressive treatment.
Miscarriage
A miscarriage is a loss of the fetus before the 20th week and sometimes sooner by the tenth week. About 10 to 30 percent of pregnancies end in miscarriage.
Listeriosis
Listeriosis is a serious infection caused by eating food contaminated with bacterium, Listeria monocytogenes. Listeriosis is relatively rare and occurs primarily in pregnant women, newborn infants, elderly patients, and patients who are immunocompromised. Infected pregnant women may experience only a mild, flu-like illness; however, infections during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage or stillbirth, premature delivery, or infection of the newborn.
Toxoplasmosis
Toxoplasjmosis is an infection caused by a single-celled parasite called Toxoplasma gondjj. The infection is most commonly acquired from contact with cats and their feces or with raw or undercooked meat.
Urinary Tract Infection
Urinary tract infections (UTI) are infections in the bladder, kidneys, ureters (the tubes that carry urine from your kidneys to your bladder) or urethra (the tube that carries urine from your bladder to the outside of your body). UTIs are caused by bacteria. If not treated and you have a kidney infection it could cause early labor in your pregnancy. If your doctor treats a urinary tract infection early and properly, it won’t hurt your baby.
Placenta Previa
Placenta previa is an uncommon pregnancy complication that can cause excessive bleeding before or during delivery. It’s when the placenta has attached to the uterine wall close to or covering the cervix.
Placental Abruption
This is when there is a separation of the placenta from the uterus. It can cause heavy bleeding in the mother and can deprive the baby of oxygen and nutrients. Placental Abruption should be treated quickly before it puts both mother and baby in jeopardy.
High-Blood Pressure/Preeclampsia
Preeclampsia is a disorder is a disorder that occurs only during pregnancy and will effect both the mother and baby. It is a rapidly progressive condition characterized by high blood pressure and the presence of protein in the urine.
Premature or Pre-term Labor
Premature labor, also known as preterm labor, is a very serious complication of pregnancy. This is defined as labor that begins prior to 37 weeks gestation. Early detection can help prevent premature birth and possibly enable you to carry your pregnancy to term or to give your baby a better chance of survival.
Post-partum Depression
Postpartum depression (PPD, also called postnatal depression) is a form of clinical depression which can affect women, and less frequently men, after childbirth. Postpartum depression can make you feel restless, anxious, fatigued and worthless. Symptoms typically last from a few hours to several days, and include tearfulness, irritability, hypochondriasis, sleeplessness, impairment of concentration, isolation and headache.
Mastitis
Mastitis is an infection of the breast tissue that causes pain, swelling and redness of the breast. Mastitis most commonly affects women who are breast-feeding, although in rare circumstances this condition can occur outside of lactation.
Fifth Disease
Fifth disease is caused by a virus called parvovirus B19. It commonly infects children and typically causes a mild rash that may resemble a “slapped-cheek”. Other symptoms that can occur include joint pain (arthralgia), fever and general flu-like symptoms.
