Pregnancy complications

definition

On the part of the mother, pregnancy complications include illnesses and complications that arise as a result of the pregnancy itself and which also include gestoses, as well as the worsening of previously existing (e.g. chronic) illnesses. These can lead to a high risk pregnancy.

Read more about these topics at: Pregnancy Complications - What Are The Signs?

In addition, diseases and conditions (e.g. infections during pregnancy and anatomical peculiarities) are included that are relatively harmless outside of pregnancy, but can now endanger it.

The mortality risk during pregnancy and childbirth is now only 0.04% in industrialized countries, but in developing countries the numbers are still dramatically high due to a lack of medical care.

Please also read: Childbirth complications

A twin pregnancy can lead to more complications than a pregnancy with just one child. Read more on this topic at: Twin Pregnancy - What You Should Know!

Ectopic pregnancy

If a fertilized egg lodges outside the uterine cavity, it is called ectopic pregnancy. About 1% of pregnant women are affected. Almost exclusively it happens that the egg makes the passage through the Fallopian tubes does not overcome and therefore nests here. Very rarely it can also implant in the abdominal cavity, Ovary or cervix come.

In addition to anatomical features, the main cause is Malfunction of the fallopian tube into consideration. These are often caused by previous inflammations (Adnexitis), which in turn lead to adhesions and scarring within the fallopian tube and thus the migration of the egg into the uterus hinder. Also dislocated uterine lining within the fallopian tube (Endometriosis), Operations in the abdomen and previous extrauterine pregnancies can lead to this course. For users one Intrauterine devices („spiral"E.g. Copper-T) pregnancies outside the uterine cavity have also been observed to an increased extent. Hormonal imbalances can also be a cause.

The symptoms express themselves in the form of absent Menstrual periodwhich is often followed by spotting and cramping pelvic pain. Even with a negative pregnancy test a gynecologist should always be consulted Ultrasonic, gynecological examination and possibly a laparoscopy can make a diagnosis.
In the Laparoscopy the fruit is then removed and, depending on the stage, the affected fallopian tube must also be removed.

If the stages are not very advanced and there are no symptoms, a medication can also be used Termination of pregnancy respectively.

Up to a fifth of affected women are affected by such a pregnancy again, whereby the risk is always higher if the previously affected fallopian tube has been left in the body.

Hypotension in pregnancy

One to low blood pressure (<100 / 60mmHg) occurs more frequently during pregnancy than too high. For the most part, it is a lower investment-related rate Blood pressurewhich is relatively harmless. However, it has been proven that affected pregnant women are more likely to have complications during childbirth.

The hormone-related widening of the veins is considered to be the cause of the low blood pressure. Symptoms take the form of dizziness, Tiredness and freezing. A great many women also suffer from constipation and Varicose veins (varicosis). In the fetus (unborn child), insufficient blood supply to the mother cake (placenta) lead to stunted growth.

Therapeutically, pregnant women are recommended to increase exercise and salt intake, to stimulate the circulation with alternating showers and to wear support stockings. Medicines may also have to be used.

Also a high blood pressure can be dangerous during pregnancy and lead to complications. The associated clinical pictures are also under Poisoning during pregnancy summarized.

Info: Vena cava compression syndrome

The so-called Vena-Cava Compression Syndrome The weight of the uterus and fetus causes the largest vein (Vena cava) and thus too little blood for heart directed. This leads to a massive drop in blood pressure and cardiovascular collapse. To correct the syndrome, the pregnant woman should turn on her side (preferably the left one) to remove the restriction in blood supply to the heart.

Urinary tract problems

Some changes occur during pregnancy that can cause infections in the urinary tract (Cystitis) can favor. The uterus can open the ureters (p. Lower urinary tract) due to their increasing size, which makes the urine worse drainage and possibly even into the kidney backwards. These circumstances and the change in the urine during pregnancy with regard to the pH value and the composition of proteins and sugars provide potential pathogens with a good environment.

The most harmless complication is the symptom-free occurrence of bacteria in the female urinary tract. About every tenth pregnant woman is affected. However, a acute cystitis which are manifested by frequent and painful urination of small amounts, sometimes bloody, urine and pelvic pain. That's why some women believe that Painful urination a sign of pregnancy but it is not a sign of pregnancy and may occur more frequently during pregnancy.

In a quarter of the cases this results in one Pelvic inflammation emerged. In contrast to cystitis, there are also high fever and flank pain.

Note: pelvic inflammation

As in addition to the risk of kidney damage and a Blood poisoning the likelihood of premature birth is also increased, therapy should be initiated soon after diagnosis.

As with bacteria in urine and a bladder infection, a weeklong Administration of Antibiotics and regular drinking prescribed. In addition, physical rest is recommended in the event of kidney inflammation.

Pregnancy depression

This occurs much less often than the postpartum depression (p. Puerperium), but still affects one in ten pregnant women and should therefore not be left unmentioned. The cause is not yet clear, but hormonal changes in pregnancy are being discussed. Some women also suffer from the alleged decrease in physical attractiveness. In particular, the belief that a woman must always be happy while expecting a child can be an additional depressing factor for pregnant women and lead to self-reproach. Therefore, everyone affected should know that they are not alone with their needs and fears.

• Pregnancy depression
• Insomnia During Pregnancy

Stretch marks

They do not represent a serious medical problem, but they are a major problem for many women for aesthetic reasons. They arise from cracks in the subcutaneous tissue on particularly stretched areas of the skin, such as those found in the belly that Hips and the breasts (p. female breast) represent. An increase in volume of the underlying tissue is the cause and can also be through Body buildingWeight gain, rapid growth, or hormonal causes (Cortisone, estrogen) arise. The reddish shimmering stripes hardly recede and can only be treated to a limited extent. The oral and external administration of vitamin A acid and the use of lasers have a certain effectiveness. As a preventive measure, women should regularly apply cream or oil to the abdomen in particular during pregnancy to support the elasticity of the tissue.
Further measures to combat stretch marks can be found in the article Preventing stretch marks.

Excessive vomiting during pregnancy (hyperemesis gravidarum)

The symptoms Vomit occur especially at the beginning of pregnancy and can get better over time. In addition to the massive nausea, it can also lead to more dangerous symptoms that can make hospitalization necessary. Above all, these include dehydration of the body and weight loss, which could endanger pregnancy. A definitive cause has not yet been found, psychological factors and excessive production of the pregnancy hormone hCG (Humanes C.horionGonadotropin) are discussed, however.

Thrombosis in Pregnancy

During one pregnancy the risk of thrombosis is increased. The reasons for this are on the one hand the changed hormonal balance of the woman but also the pressure that the child exerts on the maternal vessels. Also the Inheritance plays a role. For example, if the mother or grandmother of the pregnant woman already had a thrombosis, the risk of thrombosis during pregnancy is increased. To avoid thrombosis are Support stockings and also regularly Move helpful, which is why, for example, long-haul flights should be avoided (See also: Can I fly while pregnant?)