Ideally a pregnant woman will have a very healthy and normal pregnancy. As much as that is the hope of all pregnant women, pregnancy complications do occur. Pregnancy problems can be mild or they can be severe, threatening the health and well-being of the unborn baby or the mom-to-be. The complication may be those that are directly related to the pregnancy or they may be problems that occur in the pregnancy that are a result of an illness or accident that impacts the pregnancy in a negative manner.

Desiring a healthy pregnancy a woman can use known risks in order to predict in advance what things to avoid that may increase her risk of avoiding pregnancy complications. Exposure to known toxins such as cigarette smoke, alcohol and dangerous chemicals are some of these known risks that the pregnant woman can avoid on a daily basis.

Sexually transmitted diseases can bring to a pregnancy special complications that can affect both the mom-to-be and her unborn child. Certain sexual diseases can be transmitted from mom to child during the birthing process as the baby travels down the birth canal.

Complications for the unborn baby can also come from chromosomal abnormalities. Sometimes an ultrasound or alpha-fetoprotein test will reveal the possibility of a chromosomal abnormality. If that happens the pregnant mom will be asked to do a screening test and then if something does show up confirming the possibility she will be sent for further diagnostic testing. Genetic testing will help further explain the complication and how it will affect her unborn baby and the possibilities of any future babies.

Other complications due to abnormalities that may be detected during the pregnancy are Cystic fibrosis, Down Syndrome, Edwards Syndrome, hemophilia, Extra X and Fragile X Syndrome, Krabbe Disease, Patau’s Syndrome, spina bifida, Tay-Sachs, and Turner’s Syndrome.

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is a genetic mutation that is carried by the pregnant mom all of her life but during a pregnancy she can encounter pregnancy complications as well as other health issues.

Typically during your first or second prenatal visit you will be instructed about what the signs or symptoms of various pregnancy complications to look out for. Your healthcare provider, doctor or midwife will probably also give you medical brochures that will explain some of the more common pregnancy complications to be aware of. Some of the more common pregnancy complications are ectopic pregnancy, Rh Negative disease, Group B Strep, Preterm labor, gestational diabetes, and low birth weight.

Sexually transmitted diseases can cause ectopic pregnancies as can having a tubal ligation, or endometriosis.

Group B Strep is serious because it is the leading cause of infections in newborns. If Group B Strep is found it can be treated during the pregnancy or after the birth.

A pregnant woman’s body may not make enough insulin and she will then develop gestational diabetes. She is usually diagnosed in the 2nd trimester. She is treated by insulin or diet changes.

There are many things that can cause low birth weight including poor nutrition, using harmful substances during pregnancy like alcohol, street drugs or smoking cigarettes. It can also be caused by contagious diseases, sexually transmitted diseases, and because the pregnant woman did not receive pre-natal care during her pregnancy.

Low birth weight babies have a greater risk for respiratory infections, cerebral palsy, heart infections, blindness, and learning disabilities.

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