Pregnancy Specific

When Your Pregnancy Is Complicated

Pregnancy Specific

Certain pregnancy specific conditions that cause complicated pregnancy are listed below:

  • Ectopic pregnancy - When the embryo implants outside the uterus, it is called an ectopic pregnancy. Although the actual cause of ectopic pregnancy is not known, an unhealthy lifestyle like smoking, advanced maternal age, and prior surgery or trauma to the fallopian tubes are considered some of the causes.
  • Miscarriage - Loss of pregnancy prior to 20 weeks id called miscarriage. It may occur due to a number of reasons. Therefore, maintaining a healthy lifestyle when you are planning the baby and after conceiving is very important. Anxiety and pregnancy specific distress are seen among women who experience a miscarriage.
  • Hyperemesis gravidarum- Severe and persistent vomiting are the symptoms of Hyperemesis gravidarum. Due to constant vomiting, there are electrolyte and metabolic disturbances in the body. It also causes nutritional deficiencies. The woman gets dehydrated and loses a significant weight, which may require hospitalization.
  • Multiple pregnancies- Getting pregnant with twins or triplets is exciting, but it carries a lot of risks as well. The chances of getting gestational diabetes, gestational high blood pressure, anemia, birth defects, cord entanglement, preterm labor, and C-section delivery are very high. It could also lead to miscarriage and postpartum hemorrhage.
  • Gestational diabetes- The hormonal changes during the pregnancy may lead to changes in the level of blood sugar. High blood sugar level leads to gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). As per estimation, one among the ten women can develop gestational diabetes during their pregnancy. Uncontrolled GDM is dangerous and can harm the baby. However, once detected, it can be managed and treated.
  • Pre-eclampsia - Your blood pressure must remain normal during the entire pregnancy. A sudden increase in blood pressure, a medical condition called preeclampsia, can pose serious risks to your pregnancy. If the BP is not normal, the flow of blood decreases to the placenta due to which baby doesn’t get enough blood. It results in delivering less oxygen and fewer nutrients to the developing fetus, causing slow growth, and low birth weight, and in severe cases, premature birth. In severe uncontrolled forms, it can lead to eclampsia i.e high blood pressure with generalized convulsions which carries higher maternal mortality rate.
  • Placental abruption - When the placenta separates early from the uterus, before the childbirth, it is called placental abruption. Smoking, preeclampsia, prior abruption, trauma during pregnancyare some common reasons for placental abruption. Immediate delivery if the fetus is mature or hospitalization of mother in immature fetus cases has to be done.
  • Placenta praevia- This condition may arise in the second half of pregnancy and affects 1 in 200 women. In placenta praevia, the placenta lies low in the uterus and covers the cervix either partially or entirely. Women who have undergone prior cesarean delivery or surgery of uterus or carrying twins or triplets are under higher risk of getting placenta praevia. It requires careful monitoring of pregnancy and cesarean section, based on the degree of placenta previa.
  • Placenta accreta - An abnormal adherence of the placenta to the uterine wall is called placenta accrete. The placenta grows too deeply into the uterine wall causing severe blood loss after the delivery. Placenta accreta is a high-risk pregnancy condition that requires involvement from many specialist doctors, planned c-section delivery, and sometimes may be followed by surgical removal of the uterus.
  • Fetal problems - The major structural problems in the fetus can be identified on an ultrasound. Sometimes, there is a family history of fetal problems, and other times it is completely unexpected. It is essential to diagnose the issue on time to overcome the complications coming through the way. Treatments are required while the fetus is still in the womb or immediately after birth.
  • Vertically transmitted infections - Since the fetus have little or no immune system, the immune function of the mother plays a role in protecting it from the possible infections. The pathogens may make their way to the fetus from the mother through the placenta, causing perinatal infection. Sometimes such vertically transmitted infections are very serious and cause spontaneous abortion or developmental disorders.

These are some common pregnancy specific complications that may arise due to different reasons in different trimesters of pregnancy. Therefore, a regular visit to the gynecologist and checkup plays a vital role in combating the risks involved. At the same time, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, eating healthy food, and including mild exercises is also essential for a healthy pregnancy.