Pregnancy Complications for Mother and Fetus

Because pregnancy causes such intense and serious changes to a woman's body, there are a number of possible complications that can occur over this nine-month period. Although some can be treated with medication or surgery if properly diagnosed, others result in either miscarriage or serious health issues for the mother.

During pregnancy, the mother will generally experience a certain degree of physical discomfort due to her physical and hormonal fluctuations. While some of these less serious pregnancy complications are preventable, others can only be treated once they arise.

Viral infections, like the flu, and bacterial infections, like yeast infections, can generally be prevented without causing serious complications: doctors advise pregnant women to get flu vaccinations and practice proper hygiene to avoid these infections.

However, other minor complications, such as hemorrhoids and urinary incontinence, are physical inconveniences that are unavoidable. These physical problems don't affect the health of the fetus and usually subside when the pregnancy ends.

Some health concerns that arise during pregnancy can be harmful if they aren't properly treated. Gestational diabetes can be treated with insulin and dietary changes; however, if left untreated, it can result in either large babies that need surgical assistance during delivery or babies with respiratory distress syndrome.

Similarly, abnormal levels of amniotic fluid are treatable but can produce serious health consequences if left unattended. Low levels of amniotic fluid (oligohydramnios) are adjusted through amniotic fluid injections; high levels (polyhydramnios) can be reduced through medication or a drain of the excess fluid. The complications associated with oligohydramnios prove to be more serious, causing still births or miscarriages, while those of polyhydramnios include premature contractions or difficulty breathing for the mother.

The most grave pregnancy problems are untreatable and result in miscarriages. If a pregnant woman suffers from antiphospholipid syndrome, has an incompetent cervix, or experiences an ectopic pregnancy, she will miscarry the fetus. In each of these cases, the woman's body is unable to support a growing fetus.

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