Pregnancy complications are medical conditions that may affect you or the fetus’s health during pregnancy. Your pregnancy care provider watches for complications during pregnancy. You can help them detect potential problems by attending all your prenatal appointments. Early detection and prompt treatment can help reduce the chance of serious complications.

Pregnancy is the period during which a fetus develops inside a woman’s womb. It typically lasts about 40 weeks from the last menstrual period to childbirth.

Causes:

• Pregnancy occurs when a sperm fertilizes an egg, which then implants in the uterus and begins to develop.
• Complications during pregnancy can happen for many reasons. Preexisting medical conditions or new ones (caused by being pregnant) can cause pregnancy complications.

Symptoms:

• Missed menstrual period
• Nausea and vomiting (morning sickness)
• Breast tenderness
• Fatigue
• Frequent urination

Diagnosing:

• Home pregnancy tests
• Blood tests
• Ultrasound

Treatment Options:

• Prenatal care
• Nutritional support
• Regular medical check-ups
• Medications and supplements as prescribed

Prevention Tips:

• Use of contraception
• Family planning
• Regular health check-ups