[contact-form-7 404 "Not Found"]

Pregnancy Complications

Complications in Pregnancy

Ectopic Pregnancy

Normal pregnancy is supposed to develop inside the uterus.  Some women get pregnant but the pregnancy grows outside the uterus. A pregnancy which grows outside the uterus is called Ectopic Pregnancy. The most common place for such pregnancies to grow is in the fallopian tube. Over time, ectopic pregnancy can become really dangerous. A woman can experience more and more pain, she may have internal bleeding, and she may need emergency surgery. While an ectopic pregnancy can not be prevented, it can be treated with medicine if the diagnosis is made early. The goal is early diagnosis and treatment, and avoiding surgery if possible…[read more]

High Blood Pressure

Elevated blood pressure affects approximately 8% of all pregnancies. At each visit throughout your pregnancy your nurse will check and document your blood pressure. High blood pressure is defined as greater than 140/90 and usually happens nearer to the due date. The diagnosis used to be based on how much the blood pressure went up during pregnancy. However, now it is simple: hypertension is blood pressure greater than 140/90. High blood pressure is associated with a long list of pregnancy complications. Testing monitors for changes in kidney and liver function as well as other blood abnormalities which can be harmful to the mother or baby, or both. ‘What to do’ in the event that your blood pressure is elevated is based on your test results. Your baby’s gestational age is a Very Important factor in that treatment plan…[read more]

Miscarriage

Miscarriage is common. Fifteen percent (one of every seven) recognized pregnancies end in miscarriage. This common miscarriage will happen within the first three months of pregnancy. Three months is approximately 13 weeks gestation, which is 13 weeks since the first day of the last period.

A recognized pregnancy is everything from a positive urine pregnancy, to seeing a heartbeat by ultrasound. Once a heartbeat is seen on an ultrasound, the chance of common or early miscarriage goes down to about Five percent (one in twenty), rather than fifteen percent…[read more]

Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is a complication of pregnancy, diagnosed when high blood pressure is combined with kidney or liver or blood clotting problems.  It can happen any time after 22 weeks, but generally occurs around the due date and onset of labor. Toxemia and PIH are old names for preeclampsia.  Preeclampsia affects pregnant mothers directly, and babies indirectly…[read more]