Common Pregnancy Complications

Author: emmamadison

All pregnancies are not smooth. A few are marred by pregnancy complications. Here are 5 common problems –

1. Ectopic Pregnancy – This condition usually crops up when the fertilized egg decides to implant itself outside the uterus. Most of the times this happens in the fallopian tube. This is also known as tubal pregnancy. One of the first signs is a dull ache or pain spreading from one end of the abdomen to the other. There could also be spotting or a brown bloody discharge. Women with a history of pelvic inflammatory diseases or those who have had an ectopic pregnancy before are at risk as are chain smokers.

2. Gestational Diabetes – This is a kind of temporary diabetes that lasts only till the end of pregnancy. Here the body does not produce enough insulin to deal with the increased. Frequent trips to the bathroom, tiredness and thirst are some of the common symptoms of gestational diabetes. This kind of diabetes is common in older mothers or someone with a family history of diabetes.

3. Placenta Previa - This refers to a placenta that is unusually low in the uterus. The placenta here could be partially or wholly covering the mouth of the uterus. A low lying placenta does not usually pose a problem in the first trimester and can be expected to move up as the pregnancy progresses. If this movement does not happen there could be a case of bleeding in the later stages and even at childbirth. Women carrying multiple fetuses, those who smoke or those with a history of placenta previa in early days are at a higher risk of developing this pregnancy complication. Constant monitoring of the pregnant mother and the fetus is important.

4. Preterm Premature Rupture Of Membrane – This means that the membrane that holds the baby has got torn before term that is earlier than 37 weeks. Usually there is a gushing of fluid from the vagina. A poor diet or vaginal infections can lead to this rupturing. Usually, total bed rest is prescribed to the woman in such a scenario and she is needs carefully monitoring. In case, the baby is too premature to be delivered, medication can be given to stop the delivery for sometime. There is a need to keep a vigil for these vaginal infections and get them treated immediately.

5. Preterm Labor – Labor which usually begins before 37 weeks of pregnancy is labelled as Preterm. Smoking, a history of induced abortions, urinary tract infections, multiple fetuses, age of the pregnant woman being above 40 or below 18 are some of the reasons for a premature labor. It consists of most of the signs of a normal labor like nausea, indigestion, cramps, pinkish or brownish discharge, and actual contractions. Immediate medical attention is required to ensure the safety of the mother and the child. Medication can be administered to delay the childbirth, if the mom-to-be and her unborn baby are in the safety zone.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/pregnancy-articles/5-common-pregnancy-complications-863131.html

About the Author:
Today technology sophistication has allowed early diagnosis and treatment of most pregnancy complications. Having said all that, you are still advised to overcome those anxieties and enjoy your pregnancy.