Pregnancy & Childbirth - Know Problems That Can Arise In It!

Pregnancy is a source of joy for so many people but at the same time, childbirth can be quite an intimidating process. The physical pain associated with childbirth can easily scare any expectant mother but that should not stop you from enjoying your pregnancy to the fullest. Being aware and being consistently in touch with the doctor are the best options to maintain a healthy pregnancy.

Signs and Symptoms of Labor
When you get very close to your due date, you need to start preparing to give birth and in order to do that, you need to know what to expect. You should have a very good and clear idea about the symptoms which cause labor. The labor symptoms are as follows:

1. Your lower back starts to hurt and is accompanied by stubborn cramps that just won’t go away. This pain is very similar to the pain you experience during your period.
2. When your vagina starts discharging reddish-brownish coloured mucus which means that the mucus plug obstructing the cervix has become loose. This also signifies that your cervix is opening up and turning soft and narrow and your body is preparing for labor.
3. You start having painful contractions at very short intervals.
4. The most prominent symptom of labor is when your water breaks i.e., your amniotic sac that holds the fetus ruptures.
5. A strong feeling of pressure inside the stomach because your baby’s head is pressing very hard on the pelvic region.

Complications during Pregnancy and Childbirth
When you are pregnant, it is very important to be aware of the possible complications that can take place during the whole period of your pregnancy and then labor. Have a look:

1. Miscarriage- This is one of the most common complications of pregnancy. When you lose your baby in the first 20 weeks of your pregnancy it is known as a miscarriage. A miscarriage can happen due to infections, placenta problems or if the expectant mother has some serious health issues.
2. High blood pressure- When you are pregnant, your body goes through a lot of hormonal changes which can sometimes mess with your blood pressure. High blood pressure can cause another condition called preeclampsia which also badly affects your kidneys. This can cause you to deliver your baby much before your due date. This can also lead to a very low body weight of your child.
3. Gestational diabetes- This condition happens when your body is unable to process the sugar properly which then leads to really high blood sugar levels. In such cases, it is extremely important for pregnant women to take insulin to keep their blood sugar levels steady. It is also advisable to follow a proper diet.
4. Preterm labor- Preterm labor happens when a pregnant woman starts to labor in the 37th week of pregnancy, before the fetus’s brain and lungs have even developed. This is the reason why doctors prescribe a lot of bed rest for during pregnancy because proper rest can help prevent preterm labor.
5. Unhealthy birth weight- Having a low birth weight can cause a lot of problems for the baby such as heart problems, lung infections, learning problems and sometimes even blindness.
6. Breech- Breech position happens when it looks like the fetus’s feet needs to be delivered before the head. This is one of the reasons why it is recommended to go for regular check-ups so that the doctor can attempt to change the fetus’s breech position before delivery. But if the fetus’s position does not change, caesarean delivery is normally recommended.
7. Placenta previa- When the placenta ends up covering the cervix, it is termed as placenta previa. The doctor normally advise going for caesarean delivery in such a case.