Conditions which commonly trouble women during pregnancy

If you are planning to have a child, it’s very important that you inform yourself about the various female reproductive issues you may be confronted with, learn to recognise the symptoms and understand what can be done about them.Some degree of discomfort is par for the course in any normal pregnancy. It’s very likely that you’ll experience any or several of the following before your child is born:

• back pain;
• fatigue and insomnia;
• feeling nauseous, hot and faint;
• vaginal cramps, bleeding and discharges;
• constipation, excessive urination and incontinence;
• varicose veins and haemorrhoids;
• indigestion and heartburn; and
• swollen fingers, feet and ankles.

A cause for concern?

None of these should be cause for alarm, but if you’re unsure about anything you should never hesitate to consult your doctor or gynaecologist. Conditions that may need attention include:

Pre-eclampsia

A complex condition that is indicated by a rise in blood pressure and an increase in protein in the urine (both of which are routinely checked during antenatal doctor’s appointments). Pre-eclampsia is not usually a cause for alarm but if left untreated, it can develop into eclampsia and lead to seizures that may threaten the life of both mother and baby. If your doctor diagnoses you with pre-eclampsia during your pregnancy, depending on timing and severity, he or she may prescribe medicines to lower blood pressure, have you admitted to hospital, or recommend early delivery by induction of labour or Caesarean section.

Ectopic pregnancy

This happens when a fertilised egg accidentally implants outside of the uterus, most frequently in a Fallopian tube. Since there is no way of transplanting the egg into the uterus, the only option is to terminate the pregnancy as soon as possible. Signs that a woman may be experiencing an ectopic pregnancy include lower abdominal, pelvic and shoulder pain, nausea and vomiting, dizziness, and slight, irregular vaginal bleeding that is often brownish in colour.

Placenta previa

This describes a situation in which the placenta lies unusually low in the uterus, next to or covering the cervix. Your doctor will monitor the position of the placenta trough ultrasound scans as your pregnancy progresses and only in the rare instances where it remains dangerously low towards the latter stages, may delivery by Caesarean section be necessary.

Pelvic inflammatory disease

An infection caused by inflammation in the uterus, ovaries and Fallopian tubes, this is a common cause of infertility and pregnancy complications, particularly increasing the risk of ectopic pregnancy.

Gestational diabetes

Between 2 and 10% of all expectant mothers contract this type of diabetes, which is normally detected by routine glucose-screening tests between 24 and 28 weeks. Ask your doctor to help you put together a healthy diet and an exercise plan to treat this condition. Medication may also be prescribed.

Placental abruption

When the placenta prematurely separates from the uterine wall, this deprives the foetus of oxygen. Signs of placental abruption include cramping, vaginal bleeding and abdominal pain. A few days of bed rest may stop the bleeding, but in more severe cases complete bed rest or even immediate medical attention and early delivery may be necessary.