While the vast majority of pregnancies proceed without a hitch, some women experience more difficulty.
Some pregnant women have difficulties with their health. Health issues for either the mother or the unborn child can cause these difficulties. Pregnancy can be unsafe for anyone, even ladies who were perfectly healthy before the pregnancy. Because of these issues, the pregnancy could be considered high-risk.
Prenatal care, especially if started early and maintained throughout the pregnancy, can reduce risks by allowing doctors to spot and treat or at least monitor developing problems before they escalate.
Anaemia
Pregnant women who have anemia have fewer red blood cells than normal in their blood. It’s possible to have this condition while carrying a child, and it’s usually brought on by the mother’s need to raise her blood volume to meet the growing demands of her unborn child’s developing organs and tissues.
Anemia can make you feel exhausted and reduce your ability to deal with blood loss after delivery. Prenatal blood tests can detect anemia, and if they do, your doctor may recommend you to take iron and folic acid supplements. Excessive blood loss, as from bleeding piles or stomach ulcers, is a common cause of anemia. If you’re experiencing any of these signs, please consult your doctor.
Depression During Pregnancy
The mother-to-be may feel depression if she finds the many changes she’s going through while pregnant to be difficult to handle. Those suffering from depression experience low mood, irritability, loss of interest, poor appetite, poor attention, excessive guilt or self-blame, and a sense that life has no purpose.
Consult a medical professional if the symptoms above last for more than two weeks and/or start interfering with your daily life. You can lower your risk of experiencing postpartum depression and have a positive experience becoming a parent with the right kind of care and attention.
Diabetic Pregnancy
Some pregnant women develop diabetes because of the hormonal shifts they experience. It’s only gestational diabetes if the symptoms disappear once the baby is born. This not only puts them at risk for developing type 2 diabetes in the future, but also makes them diabetic only during pregnancy. Gestational diabetes risk factors include having a first-degree relative with diabetes (such as a parent or sibling), being overweight, having a previous pregnancy in which the baby weighed more than four kilograms, or having a history of gestational diabetes in a previous pregnancy. After giving birth, some women still have trouble controlling their diabetes. These pregnant ladies actually have diabetes and are diagnosed at a quite early stage.
Women who are pregnant and have diabetes may be at risk for:
- Pregnant women with diabetes may be more likely to have babies who weigh more than four kilos. This may increase the likelihood of complications during labor and the need for a cesarean section (C-section). Another possible complication is an increased risk of birth injury, including, in the most extreme cases, brain damage, if the baby’s shoulders become caught during delivery.
- Experiencing a premature birth or miscarriage.
- Contributing to the preexisting complications of diabetes affecting the eyes and kidneys.
- Complicating factors include the onset of pre-eclampsia (discussed further down) in the second half of pregnancy or the onset of Type 2 diabetes later in afterbirth.
- There’s a chance that their children will be born with a congenital defect.
- Experiencing health complications soon after delivery, such trouble breathing, low blood sugar, or low calcium levels.
- Obesity or the development of diabetes later in life.
If you’ve been diagnosed with gestational diabetes, you know how crucial it is to keep a tight eye on your blood sugar by paying attention to what you eat and how often you check your blood sugar. Your doctor may prescribe medicine if they feel it is essential. Limiting your sugar intake is one way to protect both you and your unborn child. You should exercise and cut back on sugar and carbs. Follow your doctor’s instructions to guarantee a healthy pregnancy and safe delivery for you and your child.
Pre-eclampsia
This is a common symptom of pregnancy-induced hypertension. First-time mothers are more likely to experience it in the latter stages of pregnancy. 10 % of all pregnancies are affected by pre-eclampsia and can be inherited.
Get medical help right away if you experience sudden and severe symptoms like severe headaches, blurred vision, vomiting, discomfort below the ribcage, and swelling of the hands, feet, and face.
Pre-eclampsia is a potentially fatal disorder that may not present any symptoms in the majority of instances. Thus, It is crucial that you show up for all of your antenatal appointments. Premature delivery through C-section or inducement of labor may necessitate hospitalization.
Multiple Pregnancy
These infants are more likely to be born prematurely and will be smaller than single born babies. Finding out early on in pregnancy if you have identical or fraternal twins via ultrasound is important. This is because an imbalance in blood distribution between identical twins who share the same placenta is more likely to occur. As a result, one may experience growth retardation while the other becomes overweight and develops heart problems. Scans should be used to closely monitor these sets of twins in order to detect any issues early and begin treatment immediately if necessary.
Scans are necessary to track the development of even fraternal twins. Depending on the situation, you may be provided with different options for the mode of delivery. Talking to your doctor is highly recommended.
Remember!
It is crucial to continue your consultations with your doctor if you have a pre-existing medical condition in order to guarantee the best possible outcome for you and your baby during your pregnancy.