Symptoms and Causes

Common Symptoms

• Severe or persistent abdominal pain
• Vaginal bleeding or fluid leakage
• Severe headaches or blurred vision
• Sudden swelling of hands, feet, or face
• Reduced or absent fetal movements
• High blood pressure or extremely low/high blood sugar
• Persistent vomiting or dehydration
• Preterm contractions

Major Causes

• Maternal age: younger than 17 or older than 35
• Pre-existing conditions: diabetes, hypertension, thyroid disorders, kidney disease
• Pregnancy-related issues: preeclampsia, placenta previa, multiple pregnancy (twins/triplets), fetal growth restriction
• Lifestyle factors: smoking, alcohol, poor nutrition, obesity
• History of complications: previous preterm birth, miscarriages, C-section, or stillbirth

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Treatments

Treatment depends on the specific risk factors and may include:

• Frequent antenatal visits and monitoring
• Ultrasounds, blood tests, and fetal well-being scans
• Medications to control blood pressure, blood sugar, thyroid imbalance, or prevent preterm labour
• Nutritional guidance and supplements like folic acid, iron, and calcium
• Hospital admission in severe cases such as preeclampsia or risk of early delivery
• Planned delivery (induction or C-section) when necessary to ensure safety of mother and baby
• Specialist involvement such as maternal-fetal medicine experts

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Prevention

While not all high-risk pregnancies can be prevented, many risks can be reduced through:

• Regular prenatal check-ups from early pregnancy
• Managing existing medical conditions before and during pregnancy
• Maintaining a healthy weight and balanced diet
• Taking recommended supplements (folic acid, iron, etc.)
• Avoiding smoking, alcohol, and drugs
• Staying physically active as guided by your doctor
• Monitoring blood pressure and blood sugar regularly
• Seeking immediate care for unusual symptoms like bleeding or severe pain