Many foods, like red meat and spinach, are iron rich and can help prevent anemia during pregnancy.
Pregnancy Complications
Complications can fall into the category that is harmful to the baby and/or harmful to the mother. Many women develop gestational diabetes, which only affects the mother. Preeclampsia, which elevates the blood pressure of the mother during pregnancy, can be harmful to both mother and baby. Ectopic pregnancies can put both the mother and baby at risk when the embryo attaches to the fallopian tube, instead of moving to the uterus.
Miscarriages or premature births can also happen to pregnant women with certain risk factors. When going through labor, progress can slow, causing distress for the baby and mother. In some cases, a C-section is needed to keep from causing harm to both the baby and mother.
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Sigma Nursing answeredSee All 2 AnswersSimply having the placenta in a low lying position but not on the edge of the cervix, should not interfere with normal growth and development of the baby, especially if there's no bleeding or other health condition present. The placenta should be able to function as normally in this position. You may be scheduled for additional ultrasounds, though. Your doctor will want to keep a close eye on the position of the placenta as well as on your baby's growth.
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It is always important to understand what is meant by "pre-term". In the hospital setting, it is often explained that anything after 20 weeks gestation, and prior to 37 weeks gestation constitutes "pre-term". It is important that if you are pregnant, and you are suspecting that you may be experiencing contractions during this "pre-term" time frame, that you seek out your care provider to determine 1) if you are truly having pre-term contractions, 2) if those contractions are causing changes to your cervix (like having it open or dilate prematurely-which can lead to pre-term labor), and 3) if your baby is safe. Your health care provider will be able to assess this using touch to your abdomen, fetal monitoring devices, and cervical examination. It is very important during this "pre-term" time, that you report any time you experience more than 4 contractions in a one hour, . Seeking medical attention early will help you learn about how your body is responding to your pregnancy, and assist your caregiver in knowing how best to plan your prenatal care. -
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Dr. Daniel R. Spogen, MD , Family Medicine, answered on behalf of Univ. of Nev. School of Medicine, Family MedicineSee All 2 AnswersYou can help prevent anemia during pregnancy by taking a daily prenatal vitamin with iron. It is also important to see an obstetrician during your pregnancy to be tested for anemia and treated appropriately if needed.
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Anyone can go into labor early—but certain women are at higher risk. In this video, Dr. Ashley Briggs describes the woman who is most likely to deliver prematurely.
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St. Mark's Hospital answeredMost placental abruptions most often occur in the later trimesters.
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Pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH), also called preeclampsia or toxemia is a problem that can occur during pregnancy. This condition causes your blood pressure to rise above a normal level. This leads to swelling because of water retention and excess amounts of protein in your urine. Left untreated and unmonitored, PIH can produce difficulties for both you and your child.
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See All 5 AnswersEarly labor (or premature labor) in pregnancy is a time when the uterus is contracting but not making a lot of process towards the delivery. Contractions may be far apart, they may be short, and they may be more of a pressure sensation than a painful sensation. A lot of women experience the pain in their back and in their legs more than in their abdomen and pelvis. The contractions are generally five to ten minutes apart and last thirty to sixty seconds. At this point, the labor can stop, because it's early and may be called a false labor.
If it is a true labor, then it continues to increase in intensity over a period of time until you get to what we call active labor, where the contractions are two to three minutes apart, and each contraction lasts for about sixty seconds and it is felt throughout the woman's body. Her heart rate increases, the uterus becomes tight and painful, she feels it in her back, in her legs and her pelvis.