As joyous as every pregnancy ought to be, they are not without risks to the mum or her baby. Complications can arise in any pregnancy and in many cases, it can get from bad to worse. Women have been known to lose their babies and even their lives due to problems during pregnancy and/or childbirth. In some cases, they cannot be helped. However, precautions can be taken to avoid certain complications and even save a pregnancy. Read on…

First trimester ( month 1 – 3 )

Dehydration through excessive vomiting:

In early pregnancy, vomiting is common, though with varying degree of severity. Severe vomiting might lead to dehydration. Taking in plenty of fluids will help avoid dehydration.

Bleeding and pain: These symptoms occur in ectopic pregnancies and miscarriages. If there is pain in early pregnancy, the suspicion of ectopic pregnancy is high. When bleeding accompanies pain, the pregnancy might not make it. If not diagnosed in time, it can rupture leading to serious bleeding inside the womb.

What to avoid during early pregnancy

  • Eating heavy meals
  • Visiting friends or relatives in a hospital
  • Smoking
  • Consuming alcohol
  • Physical and mental exertion
  • Travelling on bumpy roads

The Second Trimester ( month 4 – 6 )

It is important to conduct blood and urine tests to look for low haemoglobin, abnormalities of sugar, thyroid disorders and Rh negative blood group. A baseline blood pressure measurement should also be done early in your pregnancy. Routine screening for HIV, Hepatitis B and syphilis should also be done. It is important to continue regular antenatal care to identify any changes quickly.

Avoiding complications

  • Eat fresh or minimally processed food.
  • Ask your doctor about iron and calcium supplements.
  • Take up antenatal exercises under supervision. Yoga helps to keep you physically and mentally fit during pregnancy, delivery and the postnatal period as well.
  • Wear low-heeled shoes and hold yourself well to avoid back injury.

A detailed sonography is performed from 16 to 20 weeks to detect any abnormality in the baby. This is called an anomaly scan and checks the baby from head to toe. A normal scan at this stage will facilitate the investigative process to detect an abnormally developed baby.

Common pregnancy complications

Bleeding could indicate a miscarriage. Bleeding at this stage of pregnancy happens if the neck of the cervix is weak. If you bleed, you may need complete bed rest and maybe even a stitch to tighten the neck of the womb.

Third trimester ( month 7 – 9 )

It may be necessary to check your haemoglobin and blood sugar levels at this stage. From now on, you will be checked every two weeks. You’ll also have to keep a count of the fetal movements. You should feel at least 10 movements in a day.

Possible complications in the last three months

Growth restriction: Your doctor will monitor the growth of the baby and if the growth slows, additional tests such as the Doppler test may be done. If there are abnormalities, the baby may have to be delivered.

Preterm labour: Sometimes labour may start before a full term. This is generally due to infection, mainly urinary infection. In such situations, it is important to be cared for in a hospital that has neonatal intensive facilities.

Medical disorders in pregnancy: In some pregnancies, either the blood pressure, or the blood sugar may rise. Careful monitoring coupled with timely tests can diagnose these disorders early and keep them under control.

Low placenta and abruption: These conditions lead to bleeding in pregnancy. Emergency situations may arise and delivery may become necessary. Low lying placenta calls for complete rest and delivery may have to be by caesarean section.

Abnormal lie: Occasionally, the baby may be in an abnormal position. This could be a breech, oblique or transverse lie. In such situations, a caesarean section becomes necessary.

Combined and systematic efforts by you and your doctor can help bring about an uneventful pregnancy.