Pregnancy: Recognizing The Symptoms Of Common Complications

Pregnancy is an exciting but often unpredictable time during a woman's life. Complications can crop up, and managing or treating them may be easier if the expectant mother herself knows the red flags, rather than waiting for her healthcare provider to diagnose problems. Today, we will take a look at some of the more common pregnancy complications, what their symptoms are, and how they are managed.

Gestational Diabetes

Diabetes is a condition in which there is too much glucose in the blood. There are three types of diabetes — Type 1, Type 2, and gestational diabetes. All of these can affect women who are pregnant, but gestational diabetes is the one type of diabetes that is pregnancy-induced and that will resolve itself after the expectant mother gives birth.

Gestational diabetes can negatively influence both maternal and fetal health. Fortunately, it can also be managed quite well. Many pregnant women succeed in controlling their gestational diabetes through exercise and a good diet alone, but medications are available to those who need them. Screening for gestational diabetes is a routine part of prenatal care in the United States, and this screening process is carried out through the glucose test that takes place between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy.

You will, however, benefit from knowing the signs and symptoms of gestational diabetes so that you can inform your doctor in a timely manner — helping you bring your condition under control as soon as possible. There are usually no symptoms, but those women who do notice the tell-tale signs should contact their healthcare provider right away:

• Excessive thirst, seemingly unrelated to water intake

• Very frequent urination (which is, note, also a normal pregnancy symptom)

• Blurred vision

• Bladder, vaginal and skin infections

• Weight loss, even when you eat a lot

• Fatigue (again, also a pregnancy symptom)

• Nausea and vomiting (obviously, yet another pregnancy sign)

Risk factors for gestational diabetes include a family history of diabetes, being overweight, having had a large baby or gestational diabetes in a previous pregnancy, and having hypertension.

Placenta Previa And Placental Abruption

Placenta previa is a pregnancy complication in which the placenta covers the cervix (the opening between the vagina and uterus) either partially or completely. Most women who have placenta previa will have this condition diagnosed through ultrasound in a timely manner. The most common symptom of placenta previa is sudden vaginal bleeding, which can start halfway through the second trimester. Cramps and contractions can also indicate placenta previa.

Placenta previa alone is a very compelling reason to undergo at least one ultrasound. Yet, a low-lying placenta that was diagnosed during the early stages of pregnancy does not have to mean that you will have placenta previa later on during pregnancy. As your uterus expands, the part to which the placenta is attached tends to move up.

Placental abruption is an emergency during which the placenta starts detaching from the uterine wall before the baby is born. Placental abruption can be either partial or complete, and it can happen during pregnancy as well as during labor. It is most likely to occur during the third trimester of pregnancy. The symptoms are:

• Sudden, possibly heavy vaginal bleeding

• Abdominal pain

• Uterine contractions than come in rapid succession

• Back pain

• A uterus that is painful to touch, and possibly hard as the blood gets trapped in

Placental abruption symptoms should lead to to go to the ER immediately. If you think you have placenta previa symptoms, you should call your OBGYN for an appointment and ultrasound.

Pregnancy-Induced High Blood Pressure

Pregnancy-induced hypertension or high blood pressure is defined as high blood pressure that is developed after the 20^th week of pregnancy, but that is characterized by a lack of protein in the urine (that one will get you a preeclampsia diagnosis — we'll get there in a bit!). Gestational hypertension is different to chronic hypertension, which is when you already had a high blood pressure when you became pregnant.

Measuring a pregnant woman's blood pressure is a routine act during every prenatal appointment. Regularly measuring your own blood pressure with a blood pressure monitor at home or at any pharmacy is the best way to self-diagnose high blood pressure.

Contrary to popular belief, women with high blood pressure may also experience symptoms:

• Frequent headaches

• Changes in vision

• Irregular heart beat

• Fatigue

Women who suffer from gestational hypertension should be monitored closely for signs of preeclampsia. The recommended treatment depends on how close the pregnant woman is to her estimated due date, and on how high her blood pressure is. Women who suffer from mild hypertension during pregnancy, and who are not approaching their due date yet, will usually be advised to adjust their diet (less salt), rest plenty, and sleep in the SOS ("sleep on left side") position to ensure the baby's weight does not put pressure on major blood vessels. For severe hypertension, your doctor may recommend high blood pressure medications that are safe during pregnancy, or an early induction of labor. 

Preeclampsia

Women who have high blood pressure and protein in their urine will be diagnosed with preeclampsia. If preeclampsia is not diagnosed and treated, it can develop into eclampsia — potentially fatal seizures. The only treatment for preeclampsia is the delivery of the baby.

Preeclampsia continues to be a bit of a mystery to medical professionals, who nonetheless take this condition very seriously. It is possible that it is caused by problems within a woman's immune system, a poor diet or blood-flow restrictions.

A combination of blood pressure monitoring and urine tests are used to screen for preeclampsia in pregnant women. You will, however, want to keep your eyes out for the symptoms that accompany this condition in order to receive proper medical attention as soon as possible. The following is a list of symptoms that may indicate preeclampsia. Any pregnant woman noticing any of these red flags should promptly contact her doctor:

• Severe and possibly constant headaches

• Changes in vision, including temporary loss of vision, sensitivity to light, and blurred vision

• Sudden rapid weight gain

• Pain in your upper abdomen

• Urinating less

• Nausea and vomiting