What are Possible Complications During Pregnancy?

Although pregnancy is a natural process, it commonly involves some difficulty or potential health risks. Complications during pregnancy are not at all unusual, but can be a source of great fear and anxiety to expectant mothers and their families. While some complications during pregnancy can be dangerous for the mother or child, many are treatable and easy to catch with attentive prenatal care.

An ectopic, or tubal, pregnancy is a common type of complication that usually results in the chemical or surgical abortion of the fetus. Instead of implanting in the uterus, the fertilized egg implants on another surface, typically the fallopian tubes or cervix. Unable to sustain the fetus correctly, this type of pregnancy is impossible to carry to term, and can result in serious danger to the mother's health if not treated promptly. Ectopic pregnancies are typically detected in the first trimester and are often accompanied by vaginal bleeding, dizziness, and abdominal pain. If any of these symptoms occur in early pregnancy, treatment must be sought at once to protect the life of the mother.

Quite a few complications during pregnancy are far less dangerous, but can certainly be unpleasant to deal with. Bacterial vaginosis, yeast and urinary tract infections are all very common in pregnant women. Thick discharge that is white or gray, frequent painful urination, and foul smelling or cloudy urine can all be symptoms of these conditions. Although easily treatable, these symptoms should be taken seriously and receive prompt medical attention. Untreated, conditions such as these can result in kidney or bladder infections that can seriously damage health.

Many complications during pregnancy lead to an additional complication that can seriously disrupt the day-to-day life of the expecting mother: bed rest. Women with a history of miscarriages, diabetes, anemia, or signs of early labor can be prescribed bed rest in order to protect the fetus and their own heath. Laying in bed all day may sound appealing to some, but enforced bed rest can be tedious in the extreme. Although difficult to stick to for busy women, bed rest can give the body a chance to gain strength and keep undue stress from affecting the pregnancy.

Prenatal care and careful fetal monitoring can lead to early discovery of congenital or developmental problems with the fetus. Although receiving information that a baby may have abnormalities can be difficult, it gives parents and doctors a chance to prepare for all outcomes. If any symptoms appear during pregnancy that seem abnormal or even merely discomforting, many experts recommend seeking medical advice at once. Vigilant prenatal care can allow treatment of potential problems to start as early as possible, and can prevent a minor complications during pregnancy from turning into serious issues.