Pregnancy Complications: Symptoms and Treatments

Most pregnancies are uncomplicated. That said, it's helpful to know which serious medical issues are most likely to affect expecting moms. Here's a quick guide to the most common pregnancy complications.

Anemia:

Lower than the normal number of healthy red blood cells.

Symptoms

• Feel tired or weak.
• Look pale.
• Feel faint.
• Shortness of breath.

Treatments

• Take iron and folic acid supplements.
• Monitor iron levels.

Depression:

 

Extreme sadness during pregnancy or after birth (postpartum).

Symptoms

• Intense sadness.
• Helplessness and irritability.
• Appetite changes.
• Thoughts of harming self or baby.

Tell your doctor about any symptoms of depression. Seek medical attention right away if you have thoughts of harming yourself or your baby.

Treatments

• Therapy.
• Support groups.
• Medication.

Fetal problems: 

An unborn baby has a health issue, such as poor growth or heart problems.

Symptoms

• Baby moving less.
• Baby is smaller than normal for gestational age.
• Fewer than 10 kicks per day after 26 weeks.
• Some problems have no symptoms but are found with prenatal tests.

Treatments

• Monitor baby’s health more closely until delivered.
• Special care until the baby is delivered.
• Early delivery may be required.

Gestational diabetes: 

Too high blood sugar levels during pregnancy

Symptoms

• Usually, there are no symptoms. Sometimes, extreme thirst, hunger, or fatigue
• Tests show high blood sugar levels

Treatments

Control blood sugar levels through:.

• Healthy meal plan from your doctor
• Medication (if needed)

Hepatitis B: 

A viral infection that can be passed to the baby.

Symptoms

There may be no symptoms. Symptoms can include:
• Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
• Dark urine and pale bowel movements.
• Whites of eyes or skin look yellow.

Treatments

Lab tests can find out if a mother is a carrier of hepatitis B.
• The first dose of hepatitis B vaccine plus HBIG shot given to the baby at birth.
• The second dose of hepatitis B vaccine given to the baby at 1-2 months old.
• The third dose of hepatitis B vaccine given to the baby at 6 months old (but not before).

High blood pressure (pregnancy-related): 

High blood pressure that starts after 20 weeks of pregnancy and goes away after birth.

Symptoms

• High blood pressure without other signs and symptoms of preeclampsia

Treatments

• Closely monitor the health of mother and baby to make sure high blood pressure is not preeclampsia. (See below to learn more about preeclampsia.)

Hyperemesis gravidarum:

Severe, persistent nausea and vomiting during pregnancy—more extreme than “morning sickness”

Symptoms

• Nausea that does not go away.
• Vomiting several times every day.
• Weight loss.
• Reduced appetite.
• Dehydration.
• Feeling faint or fainting.

Treatments

• Dry foods and fluids if can keep down.
• Sometimes, medication to ease nausea.
• In extreme cases, hospitalization for IV fluids and medicines.

Miscarriage: 

Pregnancy loss from natural causes before 20 weeks. As many as 20 percents of pregnancies end in miscarriage. Often, miscarriage occurs before a woman even knows she is pregnant.

Symptoms

Signs of a miscarriage can include:
• Vaginal spotting or bleeding*
• Cramping or abdominal pain.
• Fluid or tissue passing through the vagina.

NOTE: Spotting early in pregnancy doesn’t mean a miscarriage is certain. Still, contact your doctor right away if you have any bleeding.

Treatments

• In most cases, miscarriage cannot be prevented.
• Sometimes, treatment is needed to remove any remaining pregnancy tissue in the uterus.
• Counseling can help with emotional healing.

Parvovirus B19 (fifth disease): 

A viral infection that can harm the baby.

Symptoms

• Low-grade fever.
• Tiredness.
• Rash on face, trunk, and limbs.
• Painful and swollen joints.

Treatments

• Rest.
• Special care, as needed.

Placental abruption:

 

Placenta separated from the uterine wall.

Symptoms

• Vaginal bleeding.
• Cramping, abdominal pain, and uterine tenderness.

Treatments

• Bed rest.
• Special care.

Placenta previa: 

Placenta covers part or entire opening of cervix inside of the uterus.

Symptoms

• Painless vaginal bleeding during the second or third trimester.
• For some, no symptoms.

Treatments

• Bed rest.
• May require hospital care and C-section.

Preeclampsia: 

A condition starting after 20 weeks of pregnancy that causes high blood pressure and problems with the kidneys and other organs. Also called toxemia.

Symptoms

• High blood pressure.
• Swelling of hands and face.
• Too much protein in the urine.
• Stomach pain.
• Blurred vision.
• Dizziness.
• Headaches.

Treatments

• Deliver baby if near term.
• If too early to deliver baby, medications and bed rest to lower blood pressure; sometimes must stay in the hospital until safe to deliver the baby.
• Monitor health of the mother and unborn baby.
• Medicine to prevent the mother from having seizures.

Preterm labor: 

Going into labor before 37 weeks of pregnancy.

Symptoms

• Increased vaginal discharge.
• Pelvic pressure and cramping.
• Back pain radiating to the abdomen.
• Contractions.

Treatments

• Stopping labor with medicine.
• Bed rest.
• Early delivery (Giving birth before 37 weeks is called “preterm birth.”).

Urinary tract infection (UTI): 

Bacterial infection in urinary tract.

Symptoms

• Pain or burning when urinating.
• Frequent urination.
• Pelvis, back, stomach, or side pain.
• Shaking, chills, fever, sweats.

Treatments

• Antibiotics.

Uterine fibroids: 

Noncancerous tumors that grow within the wall of the uterus.

Symptoms

Some women have no symptoms. But uterine fibroids can cause:
• Pain.
• Bleeding.
• Feeling “full” in the lower abdomen.

Treatments

• Rest.
• Monitor for miscarriage and premature or breech birth.
• C-section delivery, if blocking birth canal.

Reference

ACOG. 2014. Task force report on hypertension in pregnancy. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/Resources_And_Publications/Task_Force_and_Work_Group_Reports/Hypertension_in_Pregnancy