Pregnancy-Related Illnesses

Pregnancy is one of the most important and beautiful phases in a woman’s life. However, it brings about many changes in the body and may also lead to some health issues, such as hypertension and gestational diabetes. Therefore, if you are expecting a child, it is important to opt for regular pre-natal care for early detection of pregnancy-related illnesses and their timely treatment. Here, we will talk about common pregnancy-related illnesses and their risk factors, how to manage, and tips that can keep you safe from associated complications.

Common pregnancy-related illnesses

The following are some common illnesses and health problems that a woman may experience during pregnancy —

1. High blood pressure

This condition happens when the force with which the blood flows through the arteries is too high. Therefore, high blood pressure or hypertension puts extra pressure on the heart and kidneys and enhances the risk of preterm birth as well as placental abruption.

2. Gestational diabetes

This is a type of diabetes that women develop during pregnancy. The condition increases blood sugar levels and can impact the health of both the mother and foetus.

3. Iron deficiency

Anaemia or iron deficiency happens due to low haemoglobin or red blood cell count. RBCs, or red blood cells, are carriers of oxygen from the lungs to various organs and tissues, and iron deficiency can prevent them from doing so. This can impact the functioning of the organs and tissues and lead to weakness and fatigue.

4. Anxiety and depression

Many women feel anxious and depressed during pregnancy and after childbirth. These conditions happen due to stress, hormonal changes in the body, and changes in brain chemistry. Excessive anxiety and depression can harm the expectant mother and foetus and lead to certain complications.

5. Infections

The immune system changes during pregnancy and makes women susceptible to infections, such as STDs, flu, vaginal yeast infections, toxoplasmosis and food poisoning. These conditions can affect the health of the expectant mother and child, both during pregnancy and after childbirth.

6. Severe nausea and vomiting

Although nausea and vomiting are common during pregnancy, especially in the first trimester, some women may experience severe symptoms till the third trimester. Persistent nausea and vomiting lead to reduced appetite, weight loss, dehydration, and dizziness. Severe conditions may also require hospitalisation and care.

7. Other health issues

Pregnant women may also experience constipation and cramps from time to time. Developing varicose veins or enlarged and twisted veins, particularly in the legs, is also common during pregnancy.

Risk factors for pregnancy-related illnesses

Some common risk factors for pregnancy-related illnesses are —

1. Pre-existing health conditions

Pre-existing health conditions, like hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, thyroid disease, obesity, gastrointestinal conditions, and PCOS (i.e., polycystic ovary syndrome), can increase the risk of pregnancy-related diseases or illnesses.

2. Age

Being under 17 or over 35 when pregnant is also a risk factor.

3. Lifestyle factors

Unhealthy lifestyle habits, such as consuming unhealthy foods, a sedentary lifestyle, obesity, lack of sleep, poor immunity, smoking, drinking alcohol, and poor mental health, can make you prone to pregnancy-related illnesses.

Symptoms of pregnancy-related illnesses

Pregnancy-related illnesses can exhibit a range of symptoms, such as:

• Extreme fatigue
• Abdominal pain
• Chest pain
• Fever
• Dizziness
• Nausea and vomiting
• Severe headache that gets worse
• Heart palpitations
• Trouble breathing
• Vaginal discharge or bleeding
• Pain and swelling in the face and limbs

Diagnosis and Medical Tests

If your gynaecologist suspects a pregnancy-related illness, he/she may suggest the following tests to diagnose the condition:

• Blood tests to check for iron deficiency, maternal diabetes, and microbial infections
• Ultrasound to check the health of the foetus if you notice some unusual symptoms, such as lack of foetal movement and vaginal bleeding.
• Kidney function test if you have diabetes or high blood pressure during pregnancy
• Chorionic villus sampling (CVS) is done to check if there is any chromosomal abnormality, such as Down’s syndrome.

Management of pregnancy-related illnesses

Pregnancy-related illnesses can be managed in the following ways —

1. Taking good rest

It is important to rest well and get quality sleep whenever possible. This can help prevent nausea, fatigue, high blood pressure, and other conditions.

2. Consuming a healthy diet

Consuming small and healthy meals can help reduce nausea and vomiting. Foods rich in iron, calcium, zinc, folate, and other important nutrients can prevent nutritional deficiencies in the body and associated conditions, such as anaemia, low birth weight, foetal growth restriction, and more.

3. Stay hydrated

It is vital to stay hydrated to ease nausea and vomiting. You must drink water, fruit juices, green tea, and other healthy options throughout the day.

4. Medication

If you feel unwell, talk to your doctor about it and get the necessary tests done for proper diagnosis and treatment. Thereafter, you must take the prescribed medications on time to manage the condition and prevent associated complications.

Complications Involved

Some common complications of pregnancy and pregnancy-related illnesses are —

1. Preeclampsia

This condition happens due to high blood pressure and protein in the urine. Preeclampsia increases the risk of preterm delivery, and this can create complications for both the mother and the foetus. The condition is usually managed with the right medication and care.

2. Ectopic pregnancy

This complication happens when the fertilised egg implants itself outside the uterus, mostly in the fallopian tube. Pregnancies outside the uterus cannot continue safely and can be life-threatening. Uterine infections and previous ectopic pregnancy increase the risk of the condition.

3. Preterm labour

Childbirth before the completion of 37 weeks of pregnancy is termed preterm labour. This is a complication as some important organs, such as the brain and lungs, develop till the final weeks. Infections, previous preterm births, and a short cervix are the risk factors.

4. Pregnancy loss/miscarriage

Certain pregnancy-related illnesses, like high blood pressure and diabetes, can lead to pregnancy loss or miscarriage.

5. Stillbirth

Pregnancy loss any time after the 20th week of pregnancy is termed as stillbirth. This complication can happen due to infections, poor health of the expectant mother, poor foetal growth, and chromosomal abnormalities.

How to prevent pregnancy-related illnesses

The following are some tips that can help prevent pregnancy-related illnesses —

1. Consume a healthy diet

Eat a nutritious diet before and during pregnancy and after childbirth. This will provide important nutrients to your body and support your overall well-being.

2. Maintain a healthy weight

Try to achieve a healthy body weight before you get pregnant, as obesity can enhance the risk of heart disease and other conditions.

3. Manage pre-existing conditions

If you have high blood pressure, diabetes, thyroid, or any other health issue before pregnancy, manage them with the right medication. If left unattended, these conditions can increase the risk of complications during pregnancy.

4. Stay away from tobacco and alcohol

Smoking tobacco, as well as drinking alcohol, can increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, lung disease, anxiety, depression, high blood pressure, and other conditions. Moreover, these harmful substances can also cause severe problems to the baby, such as preterm birth, low birth weight, birth defects, foetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), and even sudden infant death syndrome.

5. Follow healthy lifestyle habits

This includes consuming a healthy diet, exercising regularly, getting 7 to 8 hours of restful sleep at night and staying hydrated. It is also important to eat fresh, home-cooked food and limit the intake of processed foods.

Conclusion

To sum up, if you are expecting a child or planning to conceive one, take good care of your health to prevent pregnancy-related illnesses and associated complications. It is wise to follow healthy lifestyle habits before you get pregnant, boost your body’s natural defences, and alleviate the risk of developing health issues. If you have high blood pressure, diabetes or any other condition before pregnancy, make sure you consult your healthcare provider and manage the ailment with the right medication.

Source: my.clevelandclinic, nichd.nih.gov, hopkinsmedicine, nhs.uk, healthline