Pregnancy Complications

Even healthy women can develop problems during pregnancy. Some prenatal tests can help prevent these problems or spot them early. Call your doctor if you have any of the symptoms in this article. If your doctor finds a problem, follow your doctor's advice about treatment to boost your chances of having a safe delivery and a strong, healthy baby.

Anemia

What it is. Abnormally low number of healthy red blood cells.

Symptoms

• Feeling tired or weak
• Looking pale
• Feeling faint
• Having shortness of breath

Treatment. Treating the underlying cause of the anemia helps restore the number of healthy red blood cells. Women with pregnancy-related anemia are helped by taking iron and folic acid supplements. Your doctor will check your iron levels throughout pregnancy to be sure anemia does not happen again.

Depression

What it is. Extreme sadness during pregnancy or after birth (postpartum).

Symptoms

• Intense sadness
• Helplessness and irritability
• Appetite changes
• Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby

Treatment. Pregnant women might be helped with one or a combination of treatment options, including therapy, support groups and medication. A mother's depression can affect her baby's development, so getting treatment is important for both mother and baby.

Ectopic pregnancy

What it is. A fertilized egg implants outside of the uterus, usually in the fallopian tube.

Symptoms

• Abdominal pain
• Shoulder pain
• Vaginal bleeding
• Feeling dizzy or faint

Treatment. With ectopic pregnancy, the egg cannot develop. Drugs or surgery is used to remove the ectopic tissue so your organs are not damaged.

Fetal problems

What it is. The unborn baby has a health issue, such as poor growth or heart problems.

Symptoms. Baby moves less than normal or is smaller than normal for its gestational age. Some problems have no symptoms, but are found with prenatal tests.

Treatment. Treatment depends on results of tests to monitor baby's health. If a test suggests a problem, it doesn't always mean the baby is in trouble — it might mean that the mother needs special care until the baby is delivered. Treatment can include a wide variety of things, such as bed rest, depending on the mother's condition. Sometimes, the baby has to be delivered early.

Gestational Diabetes

What it is. Too high blood sugar levels during pregnancy.

Symptoms. Usually, there are no symptoms. Instead, a routine screening test finds high levels of blood sugar. Sometimes, the pregnant woman experiences extreme thirst, hunger or fatigue.

Treatment. Most women with pregnancy-related diabetes can control their blood sugar levels by following a healthy meal plan from their doctor. Some women also need insulin to keep blood sugar levels under control. Poorly controlled diabetes increases the risk of the following:

• Preeclampsia
• Early delivery
• Cesarean birth
• Having a big baby, which can complicate delivery
• Baby born with low blood sugar, breathing problems and jaundice

High Blood Pressure

What it is. High blood pressure that starts after 20 weeks of pregnancy and goes away after birth.

Symptoms. High blood pressure without other signs of preeclampsia.

Treatment. The health of the mother and baby are closely watched to make sure high blood pressure is not preeclampsia.

Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG)

What it is. Severe, persistent nausea and vomiting during pregnancy more extreme than morning sickness.

Symptoms

• Nausea that does not go away
• Vomiting several times every day
• Weight loss
• Reduced appetite
• Dehydration
• Feeling faint or fainting

Treatment. Dry, bland foods and fluids are the first line of treatment. Sometimes, medicines are prescribed to help nausea. Many women with HG have to be hospitalized so they can be fed fluids and nutrients through a tube in their veins. Usually, women with HG begin to feel better by the 20th week of pregnancy. But some women vomit and feel nauseated throughout all three trimesters.

Miscarriage

What it is. Pregnancy loss from natural causes before 20 weeks. As many as 20 percent of pregnancies end in miscarriage. Often, miscarriage occurs before a woman even knows she is pregnant.

Symptoms

• Vaginal spotting or bleeding
• Cramping or abdominal pain
• Fluid or tissue passing from the vagina

Treatment. In most cases, miscarriage cannot be prevented. Sometimes, a woman must undergo treatment to remove pregnancy tissue in the uterus. Counseling can help with emotional healing.

Placenta Previa

What it is. The placenta covers part or all of the opening of the cervix inside the uterus.

Symptoms. Painless vaginal bleeding during second or third trimester. Some women have no symptoms.

Treatment. If diagnosed after the 20th week of pregnancy, but with no bleeding, a woman needs to cut back on her activity and increase bed rest. If bleeding is heavy, hospitalization may be needed until mother and baby are stable. If the bleeding stops or is light, continued bed rest is resumed until baby is ready for delivery. If bleeding doesn't stop or if preterm labor starts, the baby is delivered by cesarean section.

Placental Abruption

What it is. The placenta separates from the uterine wall before delivery, which can mean the fetus doesn't get enough oxygen.

Symptoms. Vaginal bleeding, cramping, abdominal pain and uterine tenderness.

Treatment. When the separation is minor, bed rest for a few days usually stops the bleeding.

Moderate cases may require complete bed rest. Severe cases (when more than half of the placenta separates) can require immediate medical attention and early delivery.

Preeclampsia (toxemia)

What it is. A condition starting after 20 weeks of pregnancy that causes high blood pressure and problems with the kidneys and other organs.

• High blood pressure
•  Swelling of hands and face
• Too much protein in urine
• Stomach pain
• Blurred vision
• Dizziness
• Headaches

Treatment. The only cure is delivery, which may not be best for the baby. Labor will probably be induced if condition is mild and the woman is near term (37 to 40 weeks of pregnancy). If it is too early to deliver, the doctor will watch the health of the mother and her baby very closely. She may need medicines and bed rest at home or in the hospital to lower her blood pressure. Medicines also might be used to prevent the mother from having seizures.

Preterm Labor

What it is. Labor begins before 37 weeks of pregnancy.

Symptoms

• Increased vaginal discharge
• Pelvic pressure and cramping
• Back pain radiating to the abdomen
• Contractions

Treatment. Medicines can stop labor from progressing. Bed rest is often advised. Sometimes, a woman must deliver early. Giving birth before 37 weeks is called "preterm birth" and is a major risk factor for future preterm births.