Complication during pregnancy is more common than most people think.
Even for those who are healthy and have had children before, early
pregnancy complications could arise, at no fault to anyone. This article
explains some of these complications and what to watch out for.
Early pregnancy complications
When you find you are pregnant, the first thing you must do is go see
your obstetrician/gynecologist. They will perform an ultrasound to make
sure that your pregnancy is advancing as it should. Regular visits to
your OBGYN will prevent early pregnancy complications or at the very
least, help identify them at an early stage. The two most common
pregnancy complications are:
Ectopic pregnancies
Ectopic pregnancies are one of the most common early complications.
Ectopic pregnancies refer to pregnancies in which the egg is fertilized
outside the womb so the fetus begins to develop in the ovary or in the
fallopian tube. This can be very dangerous not only for the fetus but
also for the mother. If surgery is not performed, the tubes could burst
and result in internal bleeding and in some cases, even death.
Miscarriages
Complication during pregnancy can lead to miscarriages, another
common early pregnancy complication. Sometimes the cervix can open
causing heavy bleeding with intense cramping pains. Other times, the
baby can die in early pregnancy. When this happens, the mother can
either wait for a miscarriage to occur or have a D&C. There are many
different complications during pregnancy that can cause this to happen:
blood clotting, infection, structural problems, or lifestyle choices
such as smoking, alcohol or high caffeine intake.
High risk pregnancy
A pregnancy that is categorized as high risk is one which has a
higher chance of complications arising. You may be considered high risk
if you are carrying multiple babies, have a long term illness such as
diabetes, or are over the age of 35. If you are high risk, you may be
asked to visit your obstetrician more regularly as the pregnancy will
need to be more closely monitored than usual.
Pregnancy over 35
It is not uncommon for a woman’s fertility to be affected over the
age of 30 and once you are pregnant, you must be aware that it is more
common for complications to arise. The chances of your child bearing
birth defects are significantly higher than those women who are under 30
and miscarriages also become more common in the first trimester of
older pregnant women. For those over 35, there will also be an increased
risk of diabetes and high blood pressure. Don’t worry, as with today’s
technology, almost all these complications can be treated as long as
they are spotted early on.
Multiple pregnancies
A multiple pregnancy is one in which there are two or more fetuses.
It’s considered to be high risk because with more than one fetus, it has
a higher chance of developing complications. Almost half of twins that
are born are premature with extremely low birth weights and
underdeveloped organs. This makes them very vulnerable and it is not
uncommon for only one twin to survive. Twins who share a placenta could
result in high amounts of amniotic fluids.
It is important to keep this information regarding early pregnancy
complications in mind during pregnancy and to regularly consult your
doctor.
Common Pregnancy Complications
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