Complications in Pregnancy

What are pregnancy complications?

Pregnancy complications are those health problems that occur during pregnancy, whether they affect the mother and/or the baby. They can be caused by a previous illness of the pregnant woman that has worsened due to her condition or appear as a result of it.

Types of pregnancy complications:

  • Amniotic fluid: it may be the case of having too much or too little amniotic fluid in the sac containing the fetus. If this is reduced, it can generate too much pressure in the uterus and cause premature labor. It can also press on the mother’s diaphragm, causing breathing difficulties. It usually occurs when the mother has uncontrolled diabetes, multiple pregnancy, incompatible blood groups or birth defects. On the other hand, if the fluid is scarce, it can cause birth defects, retarded growth or stillbirth.
  • Ectopic pregnancy: this occurs when the fetus develops outside the uterus, either in the fallopian tubes, the canal of the cervix or the pelvic cavity (womb).
  • Miscarriage: is the loss of pregnancy before 20 weeks gestation. It usually occurs before 12 weeks and affects 15% of pregnancies. It can also occur in the second trimester, if the cervix is weak and opens very prematurely. This is easier to prevent, as the cervix can be sewn closed and kept closed until delivery.
  • Placenta: different complications can occur, such as premature detachment of the placenta or placenta previa. Placenta previa occurs when the placenta separates from the uterine wall too early, resulting in bleeding and less oxygen and nutrients being delivered to the fetus. It is known to be more common in women who smoke, women with hypertension and/or multiple pregnancies. The second occurs when the placenta, which normally should be at the top of the uterus, becomes attached near the cervix (the opening to the uterus) or covers it. Generally, the baby must be delivered by cesarean section to prevent the placenta from separating prematurely and preventing the baby from receiving oxygen during delivery.
  • Bleeding: women who bleed during late pregnancy may be at increased risk of losing the fetus, so it is important to alert a specialist if bleeding is observed.
  • Preeclampsia or eclampsia: consists of pregnancy-induced hypertension. Eclampsia is the most serious form of this problem. It can cause convulsions, coma and even death. It affects about 5% to 8% of pregnant women. Risk factors are usually multiple fetuses, teenage mothers or mothers over 40 years of age, women with hypertension, diabetes and/or kidney disease, or women with obesity.
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Prognosis of the disease

Depending on the complication suffered and the severity of the complication, the prognosis can be mild or very severe. Among the most serious are fetal death, miscarriage, maternal death or problems in the child’s development. Therefore, early diagnosis of any of the diseases during pregnancy is important to ensure the health of both the mother and the fetus.

Symptoms of pregnancy complications

Symptoms can be the warning signs that help us to detect possible complications. Among the most common symptoms we find:

  • Vaginal bleeding
  • Uterine contractions
  • Discomfort when urinating
  • Continuous vomiting, dizziness or lightheadedness
  • Stomach pains
  • Persistent headaches
  • Fever
  • Discomfort in the area of the kidneys and lower abdomen
  • Vision problems
  • Swelling of the joints
  • Excessive fatigue
  • Lack of movement of the fetus
  • Vaginal fluid loss

Medical tests for pregnancy complications

Numerous medical tests are performed during pregnancy to check for proper development of the baby:

  • Ultrasound
  • Blood tests
  • Amniocentesis
  • Chorionic biopsy
  • Cordocentesis
  • Fetal resonance imaging
  • Non-invasive prenatal test
  • Fetal electromyogram
  • Cardiotocography
  • Screening

What are the causes of pregnancy complications?

The causes are very varied. They can range from the pregnant woman’s medical history, to bad habits during pregnancy, to unfavorable obstetric history.

Among them we highlight:

  • Smoking, drugs or drinking alcoholic beverages
  • Obesity
  • Adolescent or over 40 years of age
  • Cardiac problems
  • Metabolic disorders (diabetes, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism) Blood clotting disorders
  • Kidney diseases
  • Immune diseases
  • Cancer
  • Sexually transmitted diseases
  • Infections
  • Reproductive system abnormalities

Can it be prevented?

It is important to inform your gynecologist of the medical history of both the pregnant woman and her partner. Thanks to this history, the specialist can foresee possible complications in pregnancy and interpret certain symptoms more easily.

In the same way, the pregnant woman should change her lifestyle habits, such as diet, physical activity and avoidance of harmful substances such as tobacco, in order to promote the proper development of the baby.

Treatments for pregnancy complications

The treatment will depend on the complication suffered. It can range from diet to medication to surgery.

What specialist treats it?

The specialist in charge of diagnosing and treating pregnancy complications will be the Obstetrician and Gynecologist.