Taking care of yourself and going for regular check-ups is usually enough to ensure good health during your pregnancy. Complications, however, don’t always arrive with loud and clear warning bells. Dr Molebatsi Molefe, a gynaecologist and obstetrician, lends us his expert knowledge so you can spot the things that might pose a risk to you and your unborn baby.
 1 Severe abdominal pain: These are never normal during pregnancy and can be a sign of serious problems. If it gets to a point where you are experiencing abdominal pain along with bleeding and vaginal discharge, call your doctor or go to a hospital immediately. Possible cause: This might be caused by a cyst or uterine growth and can cause miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy (when the baby is growing inside the fallopian tubes).
2 Vaginal bleeding: Any heavy bleeding (with or without pain) during pregnancy is a serious concern. Possible cause: Heavy bleeding during the second and third trimester of your pregnancy can be caused by placental abruption, a condition where the placenta separates from the uterus.
3 No fetal movement: You should start to feel your baby’s movements between 18 to 25 weeks of your pregnancy. Babies usually develop a movement pattern and if this changes drastically or you can no longer feel any movement, visit your doctor. Possible cause: Some causes for no fetal movement might be stillbirth, fetal growth restriction, fetal distress, premature birth, as well as other associated complications.
4 Severe vomiting: Morning sickness is normal, especially in the first three months of pregnancy. If you are still experiencing extreme nausea, throwing up or struggling to keep food or liquids down in the second and third trimester, you could have hyperemesis gravidarum, a severe form of morning sickness. Other symptoms include extreme exhaustion, losing at least 5% of your body weight and even constipation. This is dangerous because it can cause dehydration and malnutrition; putting you and your baby at risk. Possible cause: The cause of severe morning sickness is unknown, but it could be a result of an adverse reaction to hormonal changes in pregnancy.
5 Severe headache: When you’re pregnant, your body undergoes changes that may cause stress and headaches. You should be concerned when the headache lasts for more than three hours and if you experience vision disturbances. Possible cause: Severe headaches might be a sign of pregnancy induced hypertension (high blood pressure during pregnancy). This is extremely dangerous for you and your unborn baby.
6 Swelling: Some swelling is normal in pregnancy but if it is sudden and does not go away after a long rest, it will need to be reported to your doctor. If it is very noticeable on your face and hands, or if there is rapid weight gain of more than two kilograms a week, this could signal a potential risk. Possible cause: The main cause of swelling is high blood pressure in pregnancy. First-time mothers or anyone who has a family history of high blood pressure are more at risk. [e] |
