Preventative Measures for complications during Pregnancy

Common complications of pregnancy:

Some women experience health problems during pregnancy. These complications can

involve the mother's health, the fetus's health, or both. Even women who were

healthy before getting pregnant can experience complications. These

complications may make the pregnancy a high-risk pregnancy. Some common

complications of pregnancy include, but are not limited to, the following:

Pre-eclampsia, Gestational Diabetes, Preterm Labour, Hyperemesis Gravidarum,

Placenta Previa.

1. Pre-eclampsia:

Pre-eclampsia is a condition that causes dangerously high blood pressure. It can be

life-threatening if left untreated. Pre-eclampsia typically happens after 20 weeks

of pregnancy, often in women who have no history of high blood pressure.

Symptoms of pre-eclampsia may include severe headache, vision changes and pain

under the ribs. However, many women don’t feel symptoms right away. The first

alert is usually when a woman comes in for a routine prenatal visit and has high

blood pressure.

Risk factors for pre-eclampsia include having a history of high blood pressure, being

obese (having a body mass index, or BMI, greater than 30), age (teenage mothers

and those over 40 are at higher risk) and being pregnant with multiples.

Prevention: While you can’t prevent pre-eclampsia, staying healthy during

pregnancy may help. If you have risk factors, experts recommend that you see

your obstetrician either before you become pregnant or very early in your

pregnancy, so you and your doctor can discuss ways that you can reduce your

risk. For example, many women at risk for pre-eclampsia are prescribed a baby
 aspirin after the first trimester. Regular prenatal visits are the best way to control

pre-eclampsia. During those routine visits, your doctor will check your blood

pressure. If it’s high, further tests can diagnose the condition so you can start

getting the treatment you need.

2. Gestational Diabetes:

Diabetes is a condition that prevents your body from breaking down sugar.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a type of diabetes that occurs during

pregnancy. One of the biggest risks of gestational diabetes is that your baby may

grow much larger than normal, a condition called macrosomia. During delivery,

a baby’s shoulders can get stuck.

Symptoms: Gestational diabetes has no outward signs or symptoms.

Risk factors for gestational diabetes include being overweight or having a history of

GDM in previous pregnancies. If you are at high risk, your doctor will screen for

GDM earlier than 24 weeks, typically in the first trimester.

Prevention: Losing weight before pregnancy, sticking to a healthy diet and getting

regular exercise can lower your risk of developing GDM. Exercise during

pregnancy, even just walking 30 minutes a day, is also great for controlling

blood sugar.

3. Preterm labour:

Preterm labor is labor that begins before 37 weeks of pregnancy. Any infant born

before 37 weeks is at an increased risk for health problems, in most cases

because organs such as the lungs and brain finish their development in the final

weeks before a full-term delivery (39 to 40 weeks). Certain conditions increase

the risk for preterm labor, including infections, developing a shortened cervix, or

previous preterm births.

Prevention: Progesterone, a hormone produced naturally during pregnancy, may be

used to help prevent preterm birth in certain women. A 2003 study led by

NICHD researchers found that progesterone supplementation to women at high

risk for preterm delivery due to a prior preterm birth reduces the risk of a

subsequent preterm birth by one third.

4. Hyperemesis Gravidarum:

While many pregnant women experience morning sickness (nausea, possibly with

vomiting, generally in the morning hours) and other discomforts during

pregnancy , women with hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) have morning sickness

times 1,000. HG is severe nausea that results in significant weight loss and may

require hospitalization.

Symptoms: Women with HG have severe nausea and vomiting. The vomiting and

reduced appetite leads to weight loss and dehydration. The major difference

between HG and normal morning sickness is that HG results in a weight loss of 5

percent or more of your pre-pregnancy weight.

Prevention: You cannot prevent HG, but you can take steps to control and manage it

during your pregnancy. The most important thing you can do for you and your

baby is to get regular prenatal care. HG can lead to not getting enough nutrients,

which can be harmful to both you and your baby. However, with proper

treatment, there are typically no long-term effects to either mom or child after the

pregnancy.

Treatment: If you have been diagnosed with HG, the priority is ensuring you have

enough nutrients to keep you and your baby healthy. For some women, a diet of

bland foods and fluids may be enough, while others may need to take medication

to help relieve the nausea. In severe cases, you may need to be hospitalized to
 receive nutrients and fluids via intravenous (IV) line. You may feel down about

having to be in the hospital during your pregnancy. Many women start to feel

better by the 20th week of pregnancy, while some continue to experience

symptoms throughout the entire pregnancy.

5. Placenta Previa:

While you are pregnant, the placenta provides your baby with oxygen and nutrients

for proper development. The placenta normally attaches to the upper part of the

uterus, but in placenta previa it either totally or partially covers the cervix (which

is the opening between the uterus and vagina).

Who is at risk? You may be at higher risk if you have scarring on your uterus from

previous pregnancies or from a uterine surgery, or if you have fibroids .

Symptoms: The main symptom is vaginal bleeding that is not accompanied by

cramping or other pain. Some women, however, do not experience any

symptoms.

Prevention: There’s nothing you can do to prevent placenta previa. However, you can

increase your and your baby’s health by getting regular prenatal care. If you are

at high risk — because of a previous surgery, C-section or fibroids — make sure

to tell your doctor. He or she may want to monitor you more closely during your

pregnancy.

Treatment: Placenta previa may result in bleeding during pregnancy. Some women

have no bleeding, some have spotting and others may experience heavy bleeding.

If the bleeding is heavy, you may need to stay in the hospital for a period of time.

Women with placenta previa will require a C-section to deliver the baby, usually

scheduled two to four weeks before their due date.