Bleeding & Fetal Complications

This is commonest among all. Bleeding is from vagina and it is apart from the usual bleeding discharge during the menstrual period. A pregnant woman knows this very well and moreover, pregnancy ceases the menstrual bleeding so the bleeding during pregnancy is not the menstrual bleeding and is the complication of the pregnancy.
Bleeding in late pregnancy could be the sign of placental complications or cervical or vaginal infection. Pregnant woman who has bleeding in late pregnancy can be at greater risk of losing the fetus and getting hemorrhage. Hemorrhage is the condition in which, there will be profuse bleeding. Bleeding at anytime during the pregnancy period should immediately be reported to physician. The physician may do sonography for further evaluation.

Miscarriage or Fetal loss

The loss of fetus or miscarriage is up to 12 weeks of pregnancy. Most of the miscarriage occurs in the first twelve weeks of pregnancy and they are generally due to fetal abnormalities. Miscarriages are generally preceded by spotting and severe cramping. Ultrasound examination confirms the diagnose.

 The fetus and contents of the uterus are naturally taken out from the vagina. If this normal process does not occur, a special procedure called as dilatation and curettage (D AND C) becomes necessary. The procedure is performed using special gynecology instrument to remove the abnormal pregnancy and the content of the uterus.

If the fetal loss is occurred in second trimester, the reason is likely to be cervix getting weaken and opens up too early than the usual. The condition is known as incompetent cervix. In some cases of incompetent cervix, a doctor can help preventing pregnancy loss by the suturing the cervix in specific manner up to certain period. However, suturing is difficult if certain period has passed in pregnancy.

Amniotic fluid complications

An amniotic fluid is the surrounding fluid to your fetus. Too much or too less amniotic fluid in the membranes surrounding the fetus can be the problem in pregnancy. Excessive fluid can make a pressure on the uterus and therefore, it can lead to preterm labor or it can also put pressure on the diaphragm that can lead to breathlessness.

Amniotic fluid tends to buildup in cases of diabetes that is uncontrolled, multiple pregnancies, incompatible blood types or the defects in the birth. On the other hand, too less fluid is an indication of birth defects, stillbirth and growth retardation.

Placental Complications

Placenta previa

In normal circumstances, the placenta is attached firmly to the top of the uterine wall but in case like placenta previa, it is attached close to or covering the cervix or opening into the uterus. This type of complication occurs one in every two hundred deliveries. It is seen more often in women has scarring of uterine wall due to previous pregnancies. Woman with fibroid, uterine surgery and other abnormalities in the uterus are also susceptible to this kind of complication.

The symptoms of placenta previa include vaginal bleeding, which is bright red and is not associated with abdominal tenderness or pain. Physical examination and ultrasonography can confirm the condition. The treatment depends on the condition and the degree of severity. Bedrest is first and foremost in any case. The baby is generally delivered by cesarean section. This is done to prevent the placenta from detaching early from the fetus otherwise; there will be cut in supply of oxygen and nutrients from mother to fetus.

Placenta abruption

Placenta abruption is generally seen in women who smoke, who has high blood pressure, multiple pregnancy or in women having previous history of placental abruption. In placenta abruption, the placenta becomes detached from the uterine wall prematurely that leads to bleeding and reduced oxygen and nutrient supply to the fetus. The detachment could be complete or partial and the cause for the placenta abruption is not known till date. Placenta abruption occurs in about one in every one hundred and twenty live births.

The symptoms for placenta abruption include bleeding, cramping and abdominal pain. The diagnose is again ultrasound and physical examination. There will be tenderness in abdomen and the pubic region. Pregnant women with placenta abruption are to be hospitalized for the condition and may have to deliver the baby preterm.

Preeclampsia and eclampsia

Preeclampsia is also known as toxemia. It is the condition that is characterized by pregnancy induced high blood pressure, protein in the urine of a pregnant lady and swelling all over the body due to the fluid retention. Eclampsia is more severe condition of this that can lead to seizures, coma or more seriously the death of mother and a child.

The cause of preeclampsia is not known but it is assumed that the condition is more commonly seen in first pregnancy. The frequency of the condition is seen in once in seven to ten percent of all the pregnant women who deliver their first child. Other conditions in which, preeclampsia is seen include

• A teenage mother
  
• A woman who is crossed forty
  
• A woman with multiple fetuses
  
• A woman with preexisting high blood pressure, kidney disease or diabete

The symptoms of preeclampsia include severe swelling in extremities, dizziness, irritability, mental disturbance, headache, nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, blurred vision, and decreased urine output, puffiness of the face and convulsions.

The treatment varies from person to person and condition wise. The treatment also depends on the stage of pregnancy in which the symptoms have occurred. The mother is immediately shifted to the hospital where she requires close observation of her fetus and herself. The medication is given to lower down the pressure of the blood and oxygen is kept ready for breathlessness.