Common Complications
What they are, how they might change your care, and the signs worth calling about
Part 7 of 7Knowing about something isn't the same as expecting it.
I share this list because information helps you feel prepared, not because I want you to worry. For most of the complications here, "common" still means a small share of pregnancies. Many affect fewer than 1 in 100.
Two things are worth keeping in mind as you read. First, many of these have steps you can take early in pregnancy to lower your risk, so it's worth learning about prevention and asking your provider what fits you. Second, any of these may change the options available to you for your pregnancy, birth, or postpartum. Knowing that ahead of time can make a shift in plans feel less like the ground moving under you.
Jump to a Complication
I've grouped these by when they most often come up. Tap any one to go straight to it.
Early Pregnancy
Ectopic pregnancy
The embryo implants outside the uterus, usually in a fallopian tube.
Miscarriage
The loss of a pregnancy before 20 weeks.
A loss at any stage is a real loss. If this happens to you, you deserve support for your body and your heart, and that support is available to you.
Any Time in Pregnancy
Anemia
Low iron levels.
Possible impactInfections
For example urinary tract infections, listeria, or BV.
Possible impactThrombosis
A higher risk of blood clots.
Possible impactPubic symphysis dysfunction
More movement than usual in the joint at the front of your pelvis. This one is far more common than the others on this list.
Possible impactMental health
Depression, anxiety, and other mood changes during pregnancy or postpartum.
It can affect your ability to care for yourself and your baby, and it may lead to longer-term emotional challenges. It is also very treatable, and reaching out is a sign of strength.
National Maternal Mental Health Hotline: call or text 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262). Free, confidential, and open 24/7.
Postpartum Support International HelpLine: call or text 1-800-944-4773, or visit postpartum.net for support groups.
A diagnosis is information, not a verdict.
You still get to ask questions, understand your options, and make choices that feel right for you.
Later Pregnancy
Gestational diabetes
An imbalance of blood sugar and insulin during pregnancy.
Gestational hypertension
High blood pressure that starts in pregnancy.
Preeclampsia & eclampsia
High blood pressure is one symptom, but preeclampsia is more serious than high blood pressure alone. It can also show up after birth, usually in the first few days but sometimes up to 6 weeks later.
New high blood pressure (140/90 or higher) that starts after 20 weeks of pregnancy, along with protein in your urine or other signs that organs like your kidneys, liver, or brain are under strain. It can also happen without protein in your urine.
Seizures in someone with preeclampsia that aren't caused by something else, like epilepsy. It's a medical emergency and can happen before, during, or after birth. Sometimes it's the first sign that preeclampsia was there.
- Swelling (edema)
- Headaches
- Nausea or vomiting
- Belly and/or shoulder pain
- Lower back pain
- Sudden weight gain
- Changes in vision
- Very brisk reflexes (hyperreflexia)
- Shortness of breath or anxiety
- High protein in urine, and other signs of strain on vital organs
Placental differences
Each of these carries different risks.
A low-lying placenta that partly or fully covers the cervix, which can get in the way of a vaginal birth.
The placenta attaches too deeply and too firmly into the wall of the uterus.
Growth restriction
Baby isn't growing at a rate within the expected healthy range.
Possible impactPreterm labor
Labor that begins before 37 weeks.
Possible impactBreech position
Baby is bottom or feet down instead of head down.
Breech is a variation of normal. Babies move around a lot in the womb, and it can be normal for baby to be head down some days and not others until later in the third trimester.
Most providers aren't trained to support a vaginal breech birth, and most people want a provider who feels safe and prepared for their needs and their baby's. If you'd like to try turning baby to increase your chances of the birth you want, an external cephalic version (ECV, where a provider turns baby from the outside of your belly), bodywork, and acupuncture may help. Each of these belongs in the hands of trained professionals who walk you through the risks.
Possible impactFor daily movements that help prepare your body for birth, I love Spinning Babies.
Important to Consider
- Diagnosis looks different from one provider to the next.The way common complications are tested for and diagnosed varies between providers and practices.
- Ask about the margin of error.Tests and scans aren't perfect. It's okay to ask your provider how accurate a test or technology is, and what a result really tells you.
- Your experience shapes the impact.How a complication or diagnosis affects you depends a lot on your own experience of it, and on your provider's practice and policies. That's one more reason choosing a provider who listens matters so much.
From the space I hold....
If a complication becomes part of your story, it doesn't erase your voice or your choices. You can still ask questions, take your time where it's safe to, and lean on the people who support you. Whatever comes up, I'm here to help you understand it and move through it feeling cared for.
Reach out to Christy