According to the American Pregnancy Association more than 875,000 women experience one or more pregnancy complications in the United States annually.
The American Pregnancy Association website stated the following:
• 458,952 babies are born to mothers without adequate prenatal care
• 467,201 babies are born prematurely
• 307,030 babies are born with Low Birth Weight
• 154,051 children are born with Birth Defects
• 27,864 infants die before their first birthday
Complications during pregnancy may include infections as well as the following:
• Bleeding from the vagina
• High blood pressure
• Gestational diabetes
• Anemia
• Depression
Complications can put you and your unborn baby at risk during pregnancy. Prenatal care is the most common way to prevent complications. Many complications can be managed with the assistance of a health care provider.
Other complications during pregnancy may include but are not limited to:
• Ectopic (ek-TOP-ihk) pregnancy
• Fetal problems
• Hyperemesis gravidarum (HEYE-pur-EM-uh-suhss grav-uh-DAR-uhm) (also known as HG)
• Miscarriage
• Placenta previa
• Placental abruption
• Preeclampsia (pree-ee-CLAMP-see-uh)
• Preterm labor
Some infections during pregnancy can be avoided by avoiding certain foods, sanitizing and/or washing your hands, and practicing safe sex.
Possible infections during pregnancy may include but are not limited to:
• Bacterial vaginosis (also known as BV)
• Cytomegalovirus (SEYE-toh-MEG-uh-loh VEYE-ruhss) (also known as CMV)
• Group B strep (also known as GBS)
• Hepatitis B virus (also known as HBV)
• Influenza (flu)
• Listeriosis (lih-steer-ee-OH-suhss)
• Parvovirus B19 (fifth disease)
• Sexually transmitted infection (STI)
• Toxoplasmosis (TOK-soh-plaz-MOH-suhss)
• Urinary tract infection (UTI)
• Yeast infection
For a full description of symptoms, prevention and treatment of any of the above, you can go to the following link: http://www.womenshealth.gov/pregnancy/you-are-pregnant/pregnancy-complications.cfm#b/
The March of Dimes recommends calling your health care provider immediately if you have any of the following symptoms during pregnancy:
• If you have quick weight gain or your legs and face swell
• If you have heavy bleeding or bleeding for more than 24 hours
• If you have vision problems, like blurriness
• If you have fever, chills or severe headaches
The Office on Women's Health in the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends contacting your health care provider or midwife if you have any of the following conditions:
• Have thoughts of harming yourself or your baby
• Are leaking fluid from the vagina
• Have discomfort, pain, or cramping in the lower abdomen
• Are vomiting or have persistent nausea
• Feel discomfort, pain, or burning with urination
• Feel dizzy
• Suspect your baby is moving less than normal after 28 weeks of pregnancy (less than 10 movements within two hours)
References:
CDC - Pregnancy Complications - Reproductive Health. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved March 14, 2012, from http://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/maternalinfanthealth/PregComplications.htm
Pregnancy Complications : American Pregnancy Association. Promoting Pregnancy Wellness : American Pregnancy Association. Retrieved March 14, 2012, from http://www.americanpregnancy.org/pregnancycomplications
Pregnancy complications | Pregnancy | March of Dimes. Pregnancy, Baby, Prematurity, Birth Defects | March of Dimes. Retrieved March 14, 2012, from http://www.marchofdimes.com/pregnancy/complications.html
Pregnancy complications | womenshealth.gov. womenshealth.gov . Retrieved March 14, 2012, from
http://www.womenshealth.gov/pregnancy/you-are-pregnant/pregnancy-complications.cfm#b
Statistics: American Pregnancy Association. Promoting Pregnancy Wellness: American Pregnancy Association. Retrieved March 14, 2012, from http://www.americanpregnancy.org/main/statistics.html
Reviewed March 14, 2012
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith