Serious complications of pregnancy

Routine Problems

Most women will face the same routine problems. Among the most prominent is back pain, which typically occurs in the third trimester when the women's center of gravity has shifted.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is also very common. This condition is defined by the pressure on the Meridian nerve, leading to numbness, tingling, weakness, or muscle damage in the hand and fingers.

Edema usually includes swelling in various parts of the body. Sometimes this complication refers to early symptoms of preeclampsia, which is a more serious complication associated with high blood pressure. Edema is dangerous if it is accompanied by swelling, headaches, blurred vision, disorientation, or severe abdominal pain.

Severe Pregnancy Complications

Serious pregnancy problems may originate mainly in the mother or may occur in the fetus or placenta, affecting the mother as well. The three most frequent complications originating in mothers include pelvic girdle pain, severe hypertension, or deep vein thrombosis.

Pelvic girdle pain is characterized by pain, instability, and limitation of mobility and functioning in any of the three pelvic joints. This condition begins in the first trimester of pregnancy often gradually growing and affecting the woman’s ability to carry out daily activities. The body produces a hormone called relaxin, which softens the ligaments putting too much stress on the joints, ligaments, and muscles of your pelvis.

Gestational hypertension is defined as the development of new arterial hypertension in a pregnant woman after 20 weeks gestation. It is usually defined by blood pressure measurements above 140/90.

Deep vein thrombosis occurs in 0.5 to 7 per 1,000 pregnancies and remains the second most common cause of maternal death. The complication is characterized by the formation of a blood clot in a deep vein.

Among others, fetal problems include ectopic pregnancy, which is defined as the implantation of the embryo outside the uterus. Unfortunately, this pregnancy has to be aborted, as there are no chances for fetal survival.

Placental abruption is another common complication involving the separation of the placenta from the uterus. This is the most common cause of late pregnancy bleeding. This complication is associated with a fetal mortality rate of 20–40%.

Multiple pregnancies are also defined as a pregnancy complication bearing a risk of twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome, a complication of disproportionate blood supply, resulting in high morbidity and mortality.