Don't Count Your Eggs Before They Hatch: The Pregnancy Complications That Could Lead to Birth Injuries

There isn’t much that compares to the feeling you get when you find out you’re expecting.

Preparing for a little one is sure to be one of the most exciting times in your life. But, the time spent waiting for your new baby to arrive can be pretty scary, too.

Complications during pregnancy can range from mild to severe. While some are best-described as passing annoyances, others can have much more serious and long-lasting effects.

Read on to find out about pregnancy complications that could put your baby’s health at risk!

Pregnancy Complications: What You Need to Know

When you get pregnant, you’ll begin to hear a lot of new tips and advice. Everyone, including your mom, your doctor, your neighbors, and even complete strangers will give you an earful. But, there’s something you won’t hear much about.

While people often become giddy and talkative in the presence of a woman who’s expecting, they rarely discuss potential risks and complications.

Still, it’s important that you learn about pregnancy complications and the serious risk of birth injury.

Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is a condition that affects about 5% of women during pregnancy. Most of the time, but not always, it happens towards the baby’s expected delivery date.

Preeclampsia can cause high blood pressure, kidney problems, seizures, and can even lead to death.

The only cure for preeclampsia is delivering the baby. However, if the woman isn’t at least 36 weeks along, this may not be a safe option. In such instances, they may be prescribed bed rest until they can deliver.

Once the woman is able to deliver her baby safely, the doctors can induce childbirth. When doctors induce childbirth early, there may be some risks involved. But, these may not be as high as the risks caused by preeclampsia.

Low Amniotic Fluid

According to the March of Dimes, about four out of every 100 women have low amniotic fluid during pregnancy. Low amniotic fluid is called oligohydramnios.

This condition usually occurs during the last trimester, but this isn’t always the case. It’s most likely to occur in women that carry their baby beyond their due date when the amniotic fluid typically begins to lessen.

Besides post-term delivery, other causes of low amniotic fluid include certain medications, birth defects, premature rupture of the amniotic sac, and other health problems.

If the condition occurs in the first two trimesters it can cause serious problems, including death. If it occurs in the third trimester, the risks tend to be less severe. But in the worst cases, even when it happens later in the pregnancy, it can harm both the mother and the child.

Gestational Diabetes

Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that occurs during pregnancy that wasn’t present prior to the pregnancy. Doctors often test for gestational diabetes when women are around 24 to 28 weeks pregnant.

When a woman has gestational diabetes, it means that her blood sugar is too high. For most women, this can be controlled through a healthy diet plan.

However, it can increase the risk of preeclampsia, early delivery, and cesarean birth. It can also cause health problems for babies, including jaundice, breathing problems and high blood sugar.

Your doctor and the pediatrician can help to determine the best way to control diabetes symptoms during pregnancy or after your baby is born. This may include insulin injections, a special diet or other types of treatments.

Depression & Other Mental Health Disorders

A woman’s mental health can affect the health of her unborn child, too.

Postpartum depression, which occurs after the baby is born, is a fairly common occurrence. The Center for Disease Control estimates that 1 in 9 women experience postpartum depression. Women can also experience depression during pregnancy, which is called perinatal depression.

Depression can cause women to feel sad, hopeless, or worthless. Women who suffer from depression may find it hard to take care of themselves and/or their infant.

Depression can cause women to have problems eating, sleeping and interacting with others. They may lack the motivation to exercise, work, or even get out of bed in the mornings. This can lead to worsening symptoms of guilt, despair and low self-esteem.

Anxiety is another mental health condition that affects many people. Sometimes, it occurs during and after pregnancy. It can cause nervousness, irritability, and irrational fear. Women who experience anxiety while they are pregnant may find it hard to eat, keep appointments, sleep or discuss their concerns with their doctor.

Other mental health disorders, along with eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia, can play a role in pregnancy, as well. If untreated, these conditions can impact the health of both mother and child.

The Effects & Treatment of Mental Health Conditions During & After Pregnancy

The effects of mental health conditions can be social or emotional, such as the failure to bond. Or, they can be physical, such as not gaining sufficient weight during pregnancy, which can lead to health problems for babies and moms, too.

There are treatments that can help reduce or eliminate symptoms of mental health disorders in pregnant women.

Women who have a mental health condition should talk to their doctors as soon as possible. Early intervention is key to preventing problems associated with these types of conditions.

Have You or Your Baby Been Affected By Complications During Pregnancy?

These are just some of the pregnancy complications that women can experience. There are many other types of potential pregnancy complications that can cause serious consequences, too.

Sometimes, doctors can take action to ensure that pregnancy complications don’t lead to tragic consequences, such as birth injury.

Have you suffered from complications during pregnancy? Do you feel that the consequences could have been avoided? Or, maybe you feel that something more could have been done to change your outcome.

Whatever your circumstances, you’ve got questions. And, we want to help you get the answers, and the compensation, that you deserve.

Schedule a free consultation with an experienced lawyer who can help you with your case today!