Pregnancy is a joyous and troubling time. Here is a handy breakdown of common pregnancy complications faced by women.

1. Common Pregnancy Complications
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2. Complications during pregnancy
Pregnancy is a beautiful yet trying time for many
women.
84-97% of women experience complications
right after giving birth and 31% have long-term
health complications after childbirth.
A smaller proportion of women have
complications during pregnancy and labour.

3. Morning sickness
Morning sickness or early
morning nausea and
vomiting is a common
problem in the first three
months of pregnancy
Typically occurs in the 4th
to 16th weeks of
pregnancy
It thought to be caused by
changing levels of
hormones especially
Human Chorionic
Gonadotropin
Prenatal vitamins may help reduce the
severity of nausea and vomiting during
pregnancy
Remember to stay hydrated and eat healthy
to prevent dehydration and fatigue

4. Gestational diabetes
Some women develop
diabetes during
pregnancy
1
This condition usually
resolves after childbirth
and can be managed
with a healthy, balanced
diet
2
The placenta produces a
number of hormones that
decrease the
effectiveness of insulin
which leads to gestational
diabetes. It is usually
diagnosed in the 24th-28th
week of pregnancy
3
Control of blood sugar
levels is important to
prevent complications
4

5. Preeclampsia
This is high blood pressure that can develop in the later months of pregnancy. It is a potentially
serious condition that can be managed with the help of a specialist dealing with high-risk pregnancies.
1
It affects about 1 in 7 women globally.2
Preeclampsia and other high blood pressure disorders during pregnancy are a leading cause of
maternal and infant illness and death.
3
Preeclampsia can result in seizures at which point it is called eclampsia. Both the mother and child
are affected by high blood pressure.
4

6. Skin changes
1 2 3
Hormones released during
pregnancy commonly
cause the skin to darken
and become more
pigmented. Wear sunscreen
and avoid sunburns to keep
your skin healthy and clear.
Increased hormones along
with other body changes are
reflected on the skin. Stretch
marks, skin-darkening, and
acne are common during the
months of pregnancy.
Most skin changes are
harmless but a rash or
irritated skin that doesn’t
resolve may be a condition
called obstetric cholestasis
and this requires medical
intervention.

7. Excessive sweating and feeling hot
1 2 3
Increased metabolism can
also cause your body sweat
more
Increased blood flow and
hormonal changes can
make you sweat and feel
more hot than usual. Wear
loose clothing and keep
your environment cool.
Pregnancy causes a rise in
body temperature

8. Backache
Pregnancy hormones cause
your bones and ligaments to
soften. This commonly causes
back pain and joint pain. Try not
to exert yourself too much and
do regular stretching exercises
to ease the pain.
A hormone called relaxin is
released during pregnancy to
soften the joints and ligaments
to prepare the body for
pregnancy and childbirth. This
can affect the ligaments in the
spine which leads to backache.
The added weight of carrying a
child is also a factor that can
contribute to backache during
pregnancy.

9. Bleeding gums
Hormonal changes make
your gums soft and more
prone to bleeding. Visit a
dentist regularly to
evaluate this problem.
1
Close to 50% of pregnant
women face dental
problems while pregnant
such as swollen gums
and toothache.
2
Hormones can make the
gums more sensitive to
bacteria which leads to
inflammation and
bleeding.
3
Bleeding gums are
usually not harmful to the
baby but nonetheless, it
should be taken care of.
4

10. Varicose veins
Varicose veins are veins that become swollen
due to poor circulation. It usually develops in the
veins of the feet and subside after labour. Avoid
sitting for too long and crossing your legs to
prevent varicose veins.
Blood volume increases during pregnancy and
the amount of circulating blood in the pelvic
region and legs become much higher. This
makes it harder for the veins to conduct blood
back to the heart against the force of gravity.
The valves that prevent backflow of blood
through the veins get affected and this leads to
varicose veins.

11. References
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/common-pregnancy-problems/
https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/common-pregnancy-problems
https://www.webmd.com/baby/guide/back-pain-in-pregnancy#1
https://www.babycenter.com/0_bleeding-gums-during-pregnancy_217.bc
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/morning-sickness-nausea/

12. Thank you
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