1. Complications During Pregnancy

2. Warning Signals Bleeding from the vagina
Severe or continuing nausea or vomiting
Swelling or puffiness of the face or hands, or marked swelling of the feet and ankles
Blurring of vision or spots before the eyes
A marked decrease in the amount of urine passed
Pain or burning while passing urine
Chills and fever
Sharp or continuous abdominal pain
Sudden gush of liquid from the vagina before the baby is due

3. RH Factor Disorder
Most people have the RH factor in their blood. These people are RH+ (positive). A+, B+, O+
Only about 15% of people do not have the RH factor in their blood. They are RH- (negative).
Disorder only occurs when a mother who is RH- gives birth to an RH+ baby. Her body builds up antibodies to fight off the “infection” of the RH+ of the baby
Is not usually a problem with FIRST pregnancies because the mother won’t have enough antibodies yet.

4. Possible Effect of RH Factor Disorder on the Baby
Antibodies from mother may cross the placenta and pass into the fetus’ bloodstream destroying red blood cells.
Can cause anemia, brain damage, and even death of the newborn.
In second or future pregnancies, more antibodies are present and the risk to the fetus is much greater.

5. How to stop this
Can be easily treated with RhoGAM, which destroys any antibodies the mother may have built up during pregnancy.

6. Toxemia (preeclampsia)
Pregnancy induced hypertension (high blood pressure).
Condition that affects a woman’s kidneys, heart, or blood circulation.
Usually develops gradually during the second half of pregnancy.
Can result from a lack of proper nutrition and health care during pregnancy.
Is most common in teen pregnancies.

7. Possible Effects of Toxemia (preeclampsia) on the Mother
Symptoms of toxemia include:
Abnormal rise in blood pressure
Rapid weight gain
Swollen face and fingers
Headaches and blurred vision
If untreated, toxemia can cause seizures, stroke, and the woman’s death.

8. Possible Effects of Toxemia (preeclampsia) on the Baby
Restricted blood supply to the placenta and fetus
Deterioration of placenta
Can cause stillbirth
Premature birth because of the health risks to mother & fetus
Low birth weight
Variety of health problems associated with premature birth

9. Gestational Diabetes
When pregnancy hormones block insulin from doing its job
Glucose levels increase in the pregnant woman’s blood
This hurts the size and health of the fetus
This usually returns to normal at the end of the pregnancy

10. Placenta Previa
This happens when the placenta is lying unusually low in your uterus
It might be next to or covering your cervix
If this is found early in pregnancy it isn’t usually a big deal
If the placenta stays close to the cervix then it is a problem

11. Placenta Previa Issues
Can cause bleeding which leads to other issues
You might have to deliver early
If you have placenta previa when it is time to deliver you will have to have a cesarean section

13. Low Birth Weight
When the weight of the fetus is under 5.5 lbs. at birth

14. Premature Birth Baby is born before week 37 of pregnancy.
Low birth weight, usually under 5 lbs.
Baby is at risk for numerous health problems such as lung and respiratory problems, infections, etc.
Babies generally require a lot of medical care.

16. Miscarriage
The natural ending of pregnancy before the 20th week (5th month)
Sometimes called spontaneous or natural abortion
Most often occurs during the first trimester
Over 60% are due to chromosome problems in the embryo or fetus
Can be caused when the developing baby is exposed to harmful substances or infections

17. Stillbirth
The natural ending of a pregnancy after the 20th week (5th month).
No single factor explains all stillbirths – many result from same causes as miscarriages.
The mother will have to go through labor and delivery or have a cesarean section

18. Emotional trauma, sadness and grief over the loss of the expectant child (felt by both parents)
May worry about their ability to have other children
Suggested that couples wait three to six months after a miscarriage before trying to conceive again
Effects on the Mother

19. Other Complications
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