Common Complications
It’s worth noting that “common” here is still low, with the range being from less than 1% of all pregnancies for some complications listed, to about 9% of all pregnancies for others. Pubic Symphysis Dysfunction is an outlier, at about 32% of all pregnancies.
It’s important to research prevention of these complications early in pregnancy to help reduce your risk.
Note that any of the complications listed may change options available to a person for their pregnancy, birth, or postpartum
Ectopic Pregnancy
Occurs when the embryo implants outside the uterus, usually in a fallopian tube.
Possible impact:
life-threatening internal bleeding
immediate medical intervention.
Anemia
Low iron levels
Possible impact:
fatigue
weakness
complications during labor
postpartum hemorrhage.
Infections
Examples: urinary tract infections, listeria, BV, etc
Possible impact:
premature birth
low birth weight
mother's health
Gestational Diabetes
An imbalance of blood sugar/insulin in pregnancy
Possible impact:
high blood sugar levels
Increased risk of preeclampsia
Extra monitoring
Diet changes
Induction
delivery complications (baby may be larger than average (macrosomia))
Cesarean
Gestational Hypertension
High blood pressure in pregnancy
Possible impact:
Extra monitoring
Induction
Thrombosis
Increased risk of blood clots
Possible impact:
deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
pulmonary embolism.
This complication includes high blood pressure as a symptom, but is more dangerous than high blood pressure alone.
Other symptoms may include
swelling/edema
headaches
nausea/vomiting
abdominal and/or shoulder pain
lower back pain
sudden weight gain
changes in vision
hyperreflexia
shortness of breath, anxiety
High protein in urine and other signs can point to strain on vital organs
Possible impact:
Extra Monitoring
potential organ damage
premature birth
reduced blood flow to the placenta
Induction
Pubic Symphysis Dysfunction
Presents as more movement in the pubic joint than usual.
Possible impact:
pain
postural complications
Placental Abnormalities
Examples include:
Placenta previa - Low lying placenta. Partially or wholly blocks the neck of the uterus. Interfering with a vaginal delivery
Placenta accrete - the placenta attaches itself too deeply and too firmly into the uterus.
Each has different implications in terms of risk.
Possible impact:
severe bleeding during pregnancy and delivery
Cesarean
Cesarean hysterectomy
Miscarriage
The loss of a pregnancy before 20 weeks
Possible impact:
emotionally devastating
physical health issues for the mother
Preterm Labor
Labor that begins before 37 weeks
Possible impact:
premature birth
Extra monitoring
NICU
Growth Restriction
Baby is not growing at a rate that is within a range of “normal/healthy”
Possible impact:
Induction
Breech Position
Breech positioning is a variation of normal, but vaginal breech birth is not something that most providers are trained to manage (most people want to be cared for by a provider who feels safe and prepared for their/baby’s needs).
Babies move around a lot in utero, and babies may sometimes be head down and other times not - this can be normal until later in the third trimester.
If someone wants to try to turn a baby from a breech position in order to increase their chances at having the birth experience that they want, an external cephalic version, body work, and/or acupuncture - all under the care of trained professionals who have advised them of risks - may help.
Possible impact:
ECV
Cesarean
Mental Health Issues
postpartum depression, anxiety, etc.
Possible impact::
Can affect the mother’s ability to care for herself and her baby and may lead to long-term emotional challenges.
Important to consider
Diagnostic processes for common complications vary from one provider to another.
Ask provider about margins of error within those diagnostic procedures/technologies
The impact of a complication or diagnosis will depend greatly on your experience of it, as well as your provider’s practice and policies.
