Pregnancy Complications

How to handle a high risk pregnancy

If you find out that your body is not functioning as it should be during pregnancy, your first response will likely be one of panic. Is your pregnancy in danger? How is this affecting your baby? What can you do to fix it? Unfortunately, certain complications can come out of the blue and may demand immediate changes to your lifestyle for the remainder of your pregnancy. On the other hand, not all pregnancy complications are equally severe, nor are they treated in the same way. Learn about some relatively common issues that can affect your prenatal health, and how to manage them for the months ahead.

Placenta Problems

The placenta is a crucial organ in pregnancy, and it’s also the site of some of the most common complications. If it does not form correctly, does not implant in the right place or does not work properly at any given time in pregnancy, your baby and your life could be in danger. Luckily, there are often warning signs to watch out for, and the quicker you can seek treatment, the better.
Generally, placental problems are discovered in the second half of pregnancy, and they almost always increase the chances of a premature birth. There are similar risk factors for different placental problems, which include:
• Cigarette smoking
• Pregnancy after 35 years old
• Carrying twins, triplets or more
• Cocaine or other drug use
• Certain abnormalities of the uterus
Placental abruption, which occurs in about 1 of every 100 pregnancies, is when the placenta begins to peel away from the uterine wall before delivery, which interrupts the transfer of oxygen and nutrients from your body to your baby. Heavy bleeding after week 20 could signal a problem, and if an abruption is suspected, you’ll need to have an ultrasound to confirm. Slightly less common but still serious, placenta previa involves a low-lying placenta that covers part or all of the cervix. This condition is particularly dangerous when labor begins, as you could start bleeding heavily once the cervix begins to dilate, endangering you and your baby.

Treating Pregnancy Complications

There’s no one universal treatment for placenta, blood, metabolic or other complications, but fetal monitoring is often the first step to resolving the problem. Unless you’re near term (at or around 37 weeks), your doctor or midwife will probably work to prolong the pregnancy until your baby develops enough to survive outside the womb. Depending on how severe your complication is, you may be monitored electronically or ultrasonically in the hospital and then sent home shortly after. More advanced placenta abruption or placenta previa may force you to stay in the hospital for the rest of the pregnancy, or perhaps you’ll be told to go on bed rest.
In cases where delivery cannot be postponed without endangering the life of mom or baby, you may need to give birth right away by cesarean section. Although babies born before 37 weeks often struggle with their breathing, there are some ways to increase a premature infant’s chances of survival and healthy growth. Drugs called corticosteroids will help to rapidly mature the lungs, and they will the best course of action in very premature deliveries.
Pregnancy doesn’t always go smoothly, but keep in mind that medical advancements have increased premature infant survival rates enormously. Furthermore, a mother’s chances of dying during delivery have dropped dramatically, especially when giving birth in the hospital. The best things you can do for your pregnancy and your unborn baby are eat well, stay fit and avoid harmful substances throughout pregnancy to give your baby the best start possible. If complications do arise, take comfort in the fact that swift response and good medical care will most likely help you out of danger.

Please Note: If you are ever experiencing any pregnancy complications you should notify your doctor immediately.

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One of the most dreaded aspects of pregnancy is stretch marks. Stretch marks are lines that appear over the belly and sometimes on the breasts, hips, or buttocks during pregnancy. They mean the skin has been stressed by stretching. Between 75 and 90% of pregnant women develop stretch marks. Stretch marks can appear red, pink, purple, reddish-brown or brown, depending on your skin color. If you are pregnant with multiples, your chances are higher for developing marks due to the extreme stretching your skin goes through.

The chances that you’ll develop stretch marks during pregnancy depend on many things. If your mother or sister developed them, chances are that you will too. Genetics are thought to play a part in whether a woman gets stretch marks or not. It also depends on how much weight you gain and how quickly you gain it.

There are a few things you can try to prevent them, though if you are genetically predisposed, they may show up anyway. Luckily, all the things you can do to prevent stretch marks are also good for you and the baby, so they will be beneficial no matter what.

Eat sensibly. A nutritious, varied diet will provide everything you and your baby needs without adding excess weight. The recommended amount of weight gain for the average pregnancy is between 25 to 35 pounds. A good diet not only makes a healthy baby, it keeps your skin strong and healthy. If your baby grows steadily, your skin may be able to keep pace without damage.

Massage your belly. This increases the circulation in your skin, which may be helpful in preventing stretch marks. It feels good, too.

Be sure you drink enough water. Soda, coffee and other beverage choices are not as wholesome as plain water. You need to keep your body hydrated to make sure your blood volume can expand enough for a healthy pregnancy, and a fully hydrated body is critical to skin health.

Take your prenatal vitamins. They will make sure you get the nutrients that may be missing from your diet. This will keep you, your baby and your skin as healthy as possible.

Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize! Begin in early pregnancy and continue through postpartum. Shea butter is a natural moisturizer that has been proven to have healing qualities. Some herbal oils are also very beneficial to the skin. Find one you like and use it liberally. This will support the skin and possibly reduce your chances of developing stretch marks.

Take care of yourself after the baby is born, too. You lose a lot of weight very quickly when the baby is born. The baby, the placenta, the amniotic fluid and other bodily fluids that are lost during birth add up to a substantial amount. Make sure you get enough rest and nutritious foods to support your body through this dramatic change.

Even if you still get stretch marks, they will fade with time. You might want to consider them a badge of motherhood. Wear them proudly.

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Early pregnancy can be a time of uncertainty, anxiety and worry. You may spend time wondering if you’re actually pregnant. Many women worry over every possible symptom. Does it mean you’re pregnant? If you know you’re pregnant, you may worry about a lack of certain symptoms. Does it mean you’ll miscarry?

Early pregnancy is also a time to come to terms with being pregnant. It is normal to feel apprehensive or ambivalent about it, even if you really want the baby. Having a baby is life changing. It is not unusual to have some cold feet about something that will change your entire life.

There are various signs and symptoms that many women experience in early pregnancy. It is perfectly normal for you to experience all of them, none of them or some amount in between.

Tender Breasts
Many women experience this symptom to some degree. The breasts may be tender, tingly or sore. The nipples become very sensitive to the slightest touch… even from the shirts you wear. This is due to increased hormones that help prepare the breasts for feeding your baby.

Fatigue
While you don’t look pregnant yet, your body is working hard to develop your baby. During early pregnancy is when your baby is making the most progress. This takes a lot of energy, and consequently you will feel tired. Try to get as much rest as possible. Progesterone, which is excreted in large quantities at this time, may also cause sleepiness.

The Vanishing Period
The most obvious sign to most women is when their period does not arrive as expected. While this can be caused by other issues than pregnancy, it is easy enough to find out by taking a pregnancy test.

Implantation Bleeding
Some women experience a little spotting about a week before their period is due. This is usually caused by the fertilized egg implanting into the uterine lining. Some women never see any implantation bleeding. Cramping may also be felt at this time, with or without the spotting.

Morning Sickness
Many women experience some degree of morning sickness, though not all women do. Some only get nauseous, while others spend long days in the bathroom, trying to keep something in their stomach. Morning sickness can actually occur at any time of day. Sometimes nausea can be triggered by odors or movement. Foods can also trigger these feelings. The most common foods to watch are coffee, spicy foods, fried foods, dairy products and meat.

Frequent Urination
You may feel you spend more time running to and from the bathroom than anything else. Changes in your uterus put more weight on your bladder, triggering the urge to go. Don’t worry… this will get better once the uterus grows large enough to grow out of the pelvis. It will come back in late pregnancy.

Raised Body Temperature
For those who take their basal body temperature each morning, you’ll notice that your temperature remains high instead of the usual plunge it takes before your period comes. According to those who practice this, 18 high temperatures after ovulation is usually indicative of pregnancy.

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Many women find some kinds of skin changes occurring during pregnancy. While these changes may be annoying, they are perfectly normal. If you are unsure whether a change is normal or not, don’t hesitate to ask your doctor or midwife. They can check it out for you and advise you once they examine you.

Glowing Skin
Pregnant women are often told they are “glowing.” This is due to an increased blood flow to the small vessels just beneath the skin surface. Hormones released in pregnancy also increase the oils that are produced by skin glands that may create a bit of a shine.

Chloasma
This is also known as the “mask of pregnancy.” Some women experience this phenomenon. During pregnancy, a slight darkening appears on the face on the forehead, temples and center of the face. These areas may get darker when exposed to sun. After the birth, these marks usually fade.

Acne
Hormones often cause pregnant women to experience break outs, while women who normally get acne may find it improves during pregnancy.

Itchiness
It is common for the skin on the belly to become itchy during pregnancy as it stretches to accommodate baby’s growth. It may also affect the breasts.

Linea Nigra
This is a dark line that develops from the belly button and runs downwards. This is extra pigment. After the baby is born, the line will fade.

Nails
For some women, pregnancy may cause their nails to become more brittle or soft than usual, or to grow faster.

Rashes
Pregnancy causes many women to perspire more than usual, and this can result in heat rash. Some women also find they get itchy red bumps on their belly, arms, legs and buttocks in late pregnancy. This is not dangerous, but it is itchy and can be uncomfortable.

The Palms
Increasing levels of estrogen may cause red, itchy palms. Some women also experience this on the soles of their feet. This also disappears after the birth.

Swelling
In late pregnancy, you may notice increasing swelling around your ankles, hands and face. This is usually harmless. If you experience swelling along with sudden weight gain and increased blood pressure, get tests done to rule out complications like pre-eclampsia.

Skin Tags
Skin tags are small growths of skin that protrude from the surface of your skin. They normally occur on the neck, breasts or armpits. They are thought to be cause by hormones released during pregnancy. They do not go away after the baby’s birth, but they can be removed by a dermatologist.

Stretch Marks
Probably the most famous of all pregnancy skin changes, stretch marks occur on the belly and breasts. Fresh stretch marks are usually pink, red or dark brown, depending on a woman’s color of skin. Stretch marks can also appear on the buttocks, hips or thighs. Stretch marks are caused by tiny tears in the underlying tissue. There is no real way to prevent stretch marks, but it may help to keep well hydrated and to moisturize your skin. Stretch marks will fade with time to a less noticeable silver.

Spider Veins
Spider veins are small red spots with lines branching out. These are tiny blood vessels that become noticeable because of more blood volume. They fade after the baby is born.

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How soon after conceiving can you start to have pregnancy symptoms? My period for October started on the 8th and ended on the 12th. My husband and I are trying to have a child. Two days ago I started getting sick to my stomach, feeling dizzy, little headaches, TIRED (I can barely keep my eyes open), one minute I’m hungry and then the next minute I won’t have the desire to eat and when I do eat my food just taste a little different to me. Are these early signs of pregnancy?
The first symptom is a missed period. Sometimes we want to be pregnant so bad that our bodies trick us into feeling things that you may have not noticed before but have been there all along. Just relax and try not to think about it. Then take an HPT when you expect your period t start.

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I just found out on Tuesday that i am four weeks pregnant with my second. The first time, I didn’t have too many symptoms, mainly extreme exhaustion and loss of appetite. This time, I have bad headaches and fatigue, but so far not as bad as last time. I’m a bit worried because I feel so great! What symptoms did/do you get during pregnancy? When do symptoms usually first start?
First of all, congratulations to you… I am happy for you as I know it is not easy to get pregnant, not to mention this is your 2nd baby you are expecting. We, too are also having problem determining the symptoms of pregnancy even though we have 3 kids. We read many books, resources, going to doctors and finally gathered our findings to 3 very important symptoms to see whether you are pregnant or not. Let me share it with you… #1 Of course, missing your period is one of the symptoms, if your menstrual cycle normally occurs regularly. However there are some women experience bleeding or spotting around the time of expected period. It happens when the fertilized egg attaches to the uterine wall and is referred to as implantation bleeding. During pregnancy the bleeding is lighter and shorter. Missed period is not a confirmation that you are pregnant as it can also happen because of the condition of emotional and physical. #2 Are you having nausea / morning sickness? If yes, it can be another common sign of pregnancy. It will show up 2 – 8 week after conception and can be happen anytime (day or night). In most women, nausea and vomiting begin to subside by the second trimester of pregnancy. In early pregnancy elevation of estrogen occurs it is to slow the emptying of the stomach and may be related to the development of nausea. #3 Are your breast tender? It is usually similar to the sensation before menstrual period. Many women feel that their breasts are fuller and tender with their nipples being more sensitive during early pregnancy. For pregnant women it may begin as early 1 – 2 weeks after conception. The color around your nipple will get darker and feeling of heaviness or fullness in the breasts. It is due to breast are preparing for breastfeeding. Definitely, it is better to consult with your doctor with the changes of your body. Pregnancy is not the same like your normal life as more things need to be aware. With that, I hope these information is relevant to see whether you are pregnant or not. It is rather important to go to your doctor in conjunction in understanding these symptoms. This is just my humble opinion………………..

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I am about 6wks prego and I had morning sickness for about 4-5days and now I just feel queezy. I am likeing foods I didn’t before and not likeing my usually favorites. I am peeing like crazy and I am hungrey all of the time, plus my pre-prego jeans I can’t even zip up. I can’t see the doctor until Wed morning. This is my fourth pregnancy. My morning sickness has gotten better with every pregnany so far.
No it’s not a sign at all your baby should be fine. Morning sickness is very common early in a pregnancy. It tends to go away later in pregnancy, and it’s almost always gone by the second trimester (the fourth month). But there isn’t a set time for it to stop because each woman is different, and each pregnancy is different.

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Labor can be a very intense experience. Some women get through it just fine, and others need a little help. Before you automatically sign up for your epidural in the parking lot, take some time during labor to find out where you fit into the scheme of things. It is possible that labor won’t be as bad as you fear. By moving around the way your body tells you to, you can reduce some of the pain and make your contractions more effective. If you do opt for an epidural, make sure you know the side effects before you go to the hospital. Epidurals usually result in maternal fever, a drop in blood pressure and the baby can have depressed respiration and reflexes.

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Most first-time babies initiate labor around 41 weeks gestation, give or take a few days. Many care providers suggest inducing as early as 39 weeks. While it may be tempting, unless there is a real medical reason to get that baby born, it is best to let your baby determine its birth date. Unless the baby and your body are both ready at the same time, induction will fail and you’ll end up with a cesarean section. Babies are not late just because they miss their due date. That date is only an estimate. Babies are considered on time as long as they are born anytime between 38 and 42 weeks gestation. However, inductions may be performed when the dating of the pregnancy wasn’t accurate, resulting in the birth of a premature infant.

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Ask questions about any prenatal testing. Some tests are non-invasive like the urine tests you do at your prenatal appointments. If your doctor or midwife suggests more invasive testing, ask why they are concerned before you automatically say yes. Just because a test is available doesn’t mean you should necessarily get it. Chorionic villi sampling and amniocentesis, for example, have a 1 – 2% risk of miscarriage associated with them. You should weigh benefits you get with the risks you take and see what that the risks are worth taking. If they are, go for the test. If they’re not, turn it down. The AFP, or triple screen test is a blood test to check for alphafetoprotein. This is used to check for neural tube defects and other birth defects, among other problems. This test is somewhat controversial because there are a high percentage of false positives associated with this test. Up to 80% of positive results (says there is a defect or problem with the baby) are false and the baby is actually perfectly healthy. This can cause a lot of stress and worry for parents-to-be as they undergo more invasive testing to either confirm or deny the findings. Ultrasounds are also routinely done, even though there are some questions about its long term effects due to the strength of the sound waves used and the heating of the tissues that occurs.

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