Common Pregnancy Complications and How to Prevent Them

How to Prevent Common Pregnancy Complications

Pregnancy can bring about an onset of complications and challenges for women. There are risk factors like infections, depression, preterm labour, and more that can occur as a form of an unforeseen event. Hence, it is necessary to understand the pregnancy complications and manage them to ensure a healthier pregnancy.

Introduction

Pregnancy complications are very nerve-wracking, but with proper care and management, addressing the challenges is easy. Regular prenatal visits, leading a healthy lifestyle and getting prompt medical attention are the keys to ensuring a healthy and safe pregnancy. Read on to know more about some of the common pregnancy complications and ways to prevent them.

Ways to Manage Common Pregnancy Complications

Even though most pregnancies are uncomplicated, there are times when unplanned events occur. Preventing pregnancy issues becomes very important during this time. Here is an overview of the most common events or complications that happen during pregnancy and ways to prevent them:

Infections

Infections, including those of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), might occur during pregnancy. It can affect delivery as well, which leads to complications for both the mother and the baby after delivery. There are a few types of infections that pass from the mother to the baby while the latter passes through the birth canal. Having infections during pregnancy can lead to some of the following unfortunate events:

• Miscarriage
• Congenital abnormalities
• Newborn death
• Illness during the newborn period (during the first month after birth)
• Ectopic pregnancy
   

It is recommended that one get early prenatal testing for STIs and other types of infections. This can determine whether the infection is curable with proper drug treatment. Before conceiving, getting vaccines and booster doses for rubella and chickenpox is also recommended.

Gestational Diabetes

Gestational diabetes refers to a condition where a woman develops a higher blood sugar level during pregnancy. Generally, it improves post-delivery of the baby, but at the same time, it increases the risk of a woman developing type 2 diabetes later on. A few other complications that can arise from having gestational diabetes during pregnancy are:

• Preeclampsia
• Larger babies
   

Management of this condition requires following a thorough treatment plan by a healthcare provider. It is the best way to prevent any kind of health problems related to high blood sugar during pregnancy.

High Blood Pressure

Higher blood pressure, or hypertension, happens when the arteries that carry blood from our heart to the other body organs are narrowed. It creates pressure to increase in the arteries. During pregnancy, this creates a much bigger problem, as it becomes hard for the blood to reach the placenta, which provides oxygen and nutrients to the foetus. A reduced blood flow can also slow down the growth of the foetus and place the mother at risk of getting:

• Preeclampsia
• Preterm labour
   

By taking a multi-faceted approach, one can manage high blood pressure during pregnancy. This includes lifestyle modifications, prenatal care, and proper medication.

Preterm Labour

Preterm labour begins before completing 37 weeks of pregnancy. An infant born before 37 weeks has an increased risk of being affected by health problems. For instance, preterm labour affects an infant's brain and lung development in their final weeks before a full-term delivery. A few unfortunate conditions that this condition brings upon a pregnant woman are

• Shortened cervix
• Infections
   

There are many ways to reduce a high-risk pregnancy, like preterm labour medication for delaying delivery, corticosteroids to help with foetal lung development and, in the same cases, magnesium sulphate to decrease the risk of neurological damage.
 

Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia refers to a serious condition which leads to a preterm delivery and even death. The exact cause of it is unknown, but some women are at an increased risk of getting it. Here are a few risk factors that increase the chance of getting this condition:

• Preeclampsia in the previous pregnancy
• First pregnancy
• Obesity
• Being 35 years or older
• Carrying more than two foetuses
• Having existing health conditions
   

To effectively manage preeclampsia, one needs to focus on controlling blood pressure and the prevention of seizures by regular monitoring and medications to ensure the safety of both the mother and the baby.

Prenatal Depression and Anxiety
 

Prenatal depression occurs during pregnancy. The symptoms of it include ongoing sadness, fatigue, anxiety, and changes in eating/sleeping habits, which affect maternal health. In the more severe cases, prenatal depression leads to women harming themselves or even the developing foetus.

Effective management of this condition requires talking to a healthcare provider and engaging in healthy lifestyle habits.
 

Miscarriage

Miscarriage is a term which describes a loss of pregnancy from natural causes before 20 weeks. A few signs indicating pregnancy loss are cramping, vaginal bleeding, passing of tissue or fluid from the vagina and more. However, bleeding from the vagina does not indicate that a miscarriage will happen or is happening. Women who experience this sign at any point during their pregnancy must contact a healthcare provider.

While miscarriages are unavoidable, there are certain medical interventions and lifestyle choices which help to reduce the risk. A few preventative measures include attending prenatal care, addressing underlying issues and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Stillbirth
 

The loss of pregnancy after completion of the 20th week is known as stillbirth. In approximately half of such reported cases, health providers cannot find any cause for the loss. However, there are certain factors which are considered to be contributors to stillbirth:
 

• Poor foetal growth
• Placental problems
• Chronic issues of the health of both the mother and the baby
• Infection
• Chromosomal abnormalities
   

To manage stillbirth, it is recommended to focus on the maintenance of a healthy pregnancy through regular prenatal care and monitoring of foetal movements. It is also recommended to avoid substance abuse when pregnant.

Tips for Managing Pregnancy Health

Apart from just common complications of pregnancy, other medical conditions can arise during pregnancy, which you need to be aware of. It can help them take the necessary steps to prevent it. Do not neglect any of your symptoms, as they can indicate an underlying health condition. Here are a few general tips a pregnant woman should follow during their pregnancy:

• Daily intake of prenatal vitamins is necessary.
• Avoiding the consumption of alcohol or smoking
• Practise meditation and yoga to reduce stress levels.
• Following a proper, balanced diet is important during pregnancy.
• Discuss any concerns with your healthcare provider.
• Keep yourself educated and updated about pregnancy complications.
   

Final Thoughts

Apart from these common pregnancy complications, there are many other types of severe medical conditions which occur during pregnancy, and you need to be aware of them to prevent them. If you have concerns about anything related to your pregnancy, do not hesitate to reach out to your healthcare provider. By incorporating healthy habits, routines, medication, and constant monitoring, one can ensure they have a healthy pregnancy journey.