Although complications in pregnancy are rare, there is always the risk that a serious disorder would harm either the mother or the baby. Some complications can even be fatal.
Ectopic Pregnancy
The fertilized egg is implanted outside the uterus. The pregnancy develops in a fallopian tube (most common), in the ovary, or in very rare cases, in the cervix or abdominal cavity. If the condition is promptly diagnosed, the doctor performs surgery to terminate the pregnancy, and, often, remove the affected tube (in fallopian tube pregnancies). Sometimes, the tube simply rejects the fertilized egg, causing an abortion. However, a ruptured fallopian tube can cause heavy bleeding and bring the pregnant woman into shock. The condition is life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention.
Symptoms:
- Vaginal bleeding
- Severe pain in one side of the abdomen
Placenta Previa
The placenta is the organ by which the mother passes nutrients and oxygen onto the baby. It is normally attached to the lining in the upper part of the uterus. In placenta previa, the placenta is implanted near or over the cervix. The stretching of the cervix during the last trimester may tear the placenta. The resulting hemorrhage can be fatal to both the mother and the baby.
Symptoms:
- Heavy, but painless vaginal bleeding
- Shock (paleness, rapid breathing, cold sweat, clammy skin, drowsiness, fast pulse rate and loss of consciousness
- Premature labor (labor pains and womb contractions)
Abruptio-placenta
Abruptio-placenta is the premature separation of the placenta from the uterus. Bleeding at the base of the placenta may cause a blood clot to form. The bleeding detaches the placenta from the uterus prematurely (before childbirth). Abruption-placenta can be fatal to the baby and therefore is a medical emergency.
Symptoms:
- Vaginal bleeding
- Decreased fetal movement
- Premature labor
Pre-eclampsia and eclampsia
The cause of these conditions is not fully known, but they are associated with hypertension (high blood pressure), albumin (protein in the urine) and edema (fluid retention).
- Pre-eclampsia, also called toxemia of pregnancy, is common in first pregnancies, in women under 25 and over 35 years of age, and in women who have diabetes, hypertension, or kidney disease. The disorder can be fatal to both mother and baby. If the pregnancy is close to term, particularly if eclampsia is imminent, labor is induced for emergency delivery.
- Left untreated, toxemia of pregnancy can progress into eclampsia, which is characterized by convulsions, followed by coma in some cases. Eclampsia can also threaten the life of the mother and the baby. If pregnancy is close to term, emergency cesarean section is performed.
Symptoms:
- Puffiness of face and hands
- Swelling of feet and ankles (due to edema)
- Abdominal pain
- Visual disturbances (blurred or dim vision, seeing spots)
- Rapid weight gain (due to edema)
- Persistent and severe headache
- Persistent nausea and vomiting
- Convulsions (in eclampsia)
Premature Delivery
Giving birth before the 37th week of pregnancy (full term) is considered a premature delivery. A baby born on the seventh month has a good chance of surviving.
Postdate
A baby not yet born after 42 weeks is considered a postdate. Since the aging placenta can no longer nourish the baby properly, labor usually has to be induced.
Rh Factor
The Rh factor is a protein found in the red blood cells of most people, making them Rh-positive. Those without is are Rh-negative. If the baby is Rh-positive and the mother is Rh-negative, her blood may produce antibodies that will attack the baby’s blood cells especially in subsequent pregnancies, giving rise to jaundice or even death of the baby during pregnancy. This problem may be prevented by protective immunization injection against this factor in Rh-negative women within 72 hours after birth or miscarriage.
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