Different Types Of Pregnancy-Related Issues For Mother
Pregnancy complications are conditions that affect a person’s pregnancy. Regular prenatal care, attending appointments, and sharing symptoms with your provider are crucial. Early detection and treatment can help with most complications. If you find yourself in any of these complications, then medical abortion can be sought in order to end the pregnancy that might risk your health.
What Is Pregnancy Complication?
Pregnancy complications encompass a range of physical and mental conditions that can impact the well-being of the pregnant or postpartum individual, their baby, or both. These conditions may manifest prior to conception, during pregnancy, or following childbirth. Seeking comprehensive healthcare before, during, and after pregnancy is of paramount importance to reduce the likelihood of encountering pregnancy-related complications.
If you are currently pregnant or have given birth within the past year, it is crucial to have open communication with your healthcare provider regarding any concerns or unusual sensations. In the event of an urgent maternal warning sign occurring during or after pregnancy, it is imperative to seek immediate medical attention.
What Leads To Pregnancy Complications?
Pregnancy complications can arise from various factors, including preexisting medical conditions and new ones that develop as a result of pregnancy.
Most Common Pregnancy Complications
- Anxiety
Anxiety disorders are prevalent before, during, and after pregnancy. If you have an anxiety disorder, you might experience overwhelming sensations of anxiety, nervousness, fear, worry, or panic that can be intense and long-lasting. These feelings can disrupt your relationships and daily routines, including work or school. Often, anxiety disorders co-occur with depression. Seeking treatment for anxiety is crucial before, during, and after pregnancy. If you suspect you have an anxiety disorder, it’s essential to promptly consult your healthcare provider.
- Anemia
Anemia is a condition characterized by a lower-than-normal count of healthy red blood cells, often leading to fatigue and weakness in affected individuals. During pregnancy, the likelihood of developing iron-deficiency anemia increases as the body requires more iron than usual. Your healthcare provider will monitor your red blood cell levels throughout your pregnancy. If feasible, addressing the root cause of anemia can help restore healthy red blood cell levels. Additionally, your provider may suggest iron and/or folic acid supplements to prevent and manage anemia.
- Diabetes
Diabetes affects how the body processes food into energy. Mainly there are three types of diabetes: Type 1, 2, and gestational. In pregnancy, high blood sugar can lead to complications. To manage diabetes during pregnancy, follow your doctor’s guidance, monitor blood sugar, eat well, exercise, and take insulin if needed. Post-pregnancy, continue healthcare to monitor blood sugar and overall health.
- Depression
Sadness is a common human experience that tends to dissipate within a few days. In contrast, depression can significantly disrupt daily functioning and persist for extended periods, ranging from weeks to months. It’s worth noting that certain individuals may experience depression prior to, during, or following pregnancy.
- High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure, a common cardiovascular condition, can occur before or during pregnancy. Chronic hypertension exists when it’s present before conception or prior to the 20th week of pregnancy, while gestational hypertension develops after the 20th week. Preeclampsia, a serious condition, can arise suddenly after the 20th week in individuals with previously normal blood pressure. Notably, chronic hypertension can also lead to preeclampsia. Managing high blood pressure during pregnancy is crucial as it increases the risk of complications like preterm birth, low birth weight, eclampsia, stroke, and placental abruption. Fortunately, a heart-healthy lifestyle and at-home blood pressure monitoring, guided by a healthcare provider, can help control high blood pressure. In cases of heightened preeclampsia risk, low-dose aspirin may be recommended after the 12th week of pregnancy. For more information, explore resources on High Blood Pressure and Pregnancy.
- Heart Conditions
Heart conditions, including coronary artery disease, heart attacks, cardiomyopathy, and congenital defects, impact the cardiovascular system. Minimizing the risk involves making healthy dietary choices, moderating alcohol intake, quitting smoking if applicable, and effectively managing other chronic conditions. Symptoms may not always be present, but discomfort in the neck, jaw, chest, abdomen, or back can signal a heart issue. While many individuals with heart conditions have uncomplicated pregnancies, it’s essential to recognize that pregnancy can strain the heart, especially in certain cases. Having a pre-existing heart condition can heighten the risk of severe complications and mortality during and after pregnancy.
Who Are Prone To Experiencing Complications During Pregnancy?
Pregnancy complications can potentially affect anyone, but the likelihood of experiencing them increases for individuals with pre-existing chronic medical conditions or illnesses. Some examples of such health conditions or diseases that could lead to complications during pregnancy include diabetes, cancer, high blood pressure (hypertension, whether pre-existing or pregnancy-induced), sexually transmitted infections (STIs), kidney issues, epilepsy, and anemia. It’s important to note that many medications used to manage chronic health conditions can be safely continued during pregnancy, although some may require more frequent monitoring or dosage adjustments. Before making any changes to your current medication regimen, it is advisable to consult with your healthcare provider.
Do Birth Control Pills Have The Potential To Lead To Complications During Pregnancy?
While there is not enough proof that using birth control tablets in early pregnancy affects the growing baby, it is highly encouraged that all hormonal contraception be discontinued as soon as pregnancy is established. If you believe you are pregnant, you should get a pregnancy test right away.
The lack of data on this topic is mostly owing to ethical concerns, since medical research seldom involves evaluating hormonal contraception usage during pregnancy due to possible hazards to the fetus and expectant adults.
How Do I Prevent Pregnancy Complications?
Although certain pregnancy complications may be beyond your control, there are proactive measures you can take to mitigate the risk of such complications. These steps encompass:
- Establishing pre-pregnancy health: Enhance the management of preexisting health conditions, achieve a healthier body weight, cease smoking, and undertake other health-improving actions before conceiving.
- Diligently attending all scheduled prenatal appointments, ultrasounds, and recommended tests.
- Promptly communicating any concerning or unusual symptoms to your prenatal care provider.
- Sustaining a healthy lifestyle throughout pregnancy by maintaining a balanced diet, engaging in regular physical activity, and refraining from alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking.
- Efforts to reduce stress levels and ensure adequate rest during the pregnancy period.
- Incorporating a prenatal vitamin into your routine, while refraining from taking any medications unless expressly approved by your prenatal care provider.
