Unfortunately not all pregnancies are a blissful 9 months of glowing skin, thick lustrous hair, and the wonderful anticipation of your upcoming bundle of joy. For most women, the biggest problems of pregnancy are morning sickness, stretch marks and acne and although unpleasant, they are not major health concerns. Many women do face some minor health problems and pregnancy complications, but there are some women who unfortunately get faced with more serious complications during pregnancy.

There are several things that may cause a complication in your pregnancy. However, some are more common than others. Below is a list of the most common pregnancy complications:

Ectopic Pregnancy:

• Ectopic pregnancies can be caused by an STD, such as chlamydia, or an infection, such as pelvic inflammatory disease. Women who have undergone sterilization procedures or have been diagnosed with endometriosis or other female reproductive disorders are also at risk.
• If the fallopian tube is getting tighter, or more narrow, the egg is fertilized outside the uterus, and in the tube, thus the name: “Tubal pregnancy.”
• Causes heavy bleeding, severe pelvic pain, dizziness and may result in death.
• Emergency surgery or Methotrexate are used for treatment.

RH Negative:

• Rhesus isoimmunization.
• Rh factor is determined by the presence of a protein surrounding red blood cells. Without the protein, a woman is considered Rh negative.
• The mother is Rh negative, and her child is born Rh positive, and she starts to build antibodies up against the next Rh positive baby.
• During the beginning of the pregnancy, the mother is tested to see if she has been sensitized. (Meaning the baby’s red blood cells have been affected my the mother’s developed antibodies).
• RhoGAM is a medication given around 28 weeks to prevent the build-up of these antibodies.
• RhoGAM is given again at birth, only if the baby is Rh positive.

Group B Strep Infection: the most common cause of infection in newborns

Preterm Labor:

• When the mother’s body is trying to deliver the baby before she has reached full-term (37 weeks).
• There is a risk of delivering the baby too early when the contractions are closer, stronger, and longer.
• Can feel like menstrual cramping or a subtle backache.
• In serious situations, bed rest and medications are necessary to help the pregnancy go full-term.

Gestational Diabetes:

• Gestational Diabetes is a form of diabetes that develops during pregnancy, when a woman’s body is not making enough insulin and has high blood sugar.
• Develops usually in second trimester.
• Affects 2-3% of women.

Other complications: