Pregnancy-Related Conditions

Conditions by trimester

First trimester (weeks 1 to 13)

• Morning sickness and hyperemesis gravidarum: nausea affects most pregnant people; hyperemesis is severe vomiting causing dehydration and weight loss.
• Miscarriage: loss before 20 weeks; affects about 10 to 20% of known pregnancies, mostly in the first trimester, usually from chromosomal problems.
• Ectopic pregnancy: a pregnancy outside the uterus, usually in a fallopian tube; causes pain and bleeding and can rupture.
• Molar pregnancy: abnormal growth of placental tissue (rare).

Second trimester (weeks 14 to 27)

• Gestational diabetes: high blood sugar first found in pregnancy; screened at 24 to 28 weeks.
• Cervical insufficiency: painless early opening of the cervix.
• Low-lying placenta or placenta previa: often found at the 20-week scan; most resolve.
• Anemia: common, mostly from iron deficiency.

Third trimester (weeks 28 to 40)

• Preeclampsia: high blood pressure with organ involvement after 20 weeks; can cause seizures (eclampsia), liver and kidney problems, and poor fetal growth.
• Gestational hypertension: high blood pressure without other signs of preeclampsia.
• Preterm labor: labor before 37 weeks.
• Placental abruption: the placenta separates early, causing pain and bleeding.
• Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy: intense itching, especially of palms and soles, from a liver condition.
• Fetal growth restriction and breech position.

After birth (postpartum)

• postpartum hemorrhage
• infections
• postpartum depression and anxiety; rarely postpartum psychosis
• blood clots
• postpartum preeclampsia, which can occur up to 6 weeks after delivery

Pre-existing conditions that need extra care

• diabetes, high blood pressure, thyroid disease
• heart disease, kidney disease
• epilepsy, asthma, autoimmune diseases
• mental health conditions
• obesity

Planning pregnancy with your doctor allows medicines to be adjusted and conditions optimized beforehand.

Risk factors for complications

• age under 17 or over 35
• multiple pregnancy (twins or more)
• previous pregnancy complications or cesarean
• IVF pregnancy
• smoking, alcohol and drug use
• limited access to prenatal care

How complications are detected

Routine prenatal care includes:

• blood pressure and urine checks at each visit
• blood tests for anemia, blood group, infections and, at 24 to 28 weeks, gestational diabetes
• ultrasounds in the first trimester and around 20 weeks
• monitoring of baby's growth and movements

Treatment overview

Treatment depends on the condition: anti-nausea medicines and IV fluids for hyperemesis; diet, glucose monitoring and insulin or metformin for gestational diabetes; blood pressure medicines, close monitoring and timely delivery for preeclampsia; progesterone or cerclage for cervical insufficiency; steroid injections to mature the baby's lungs before a likely preterm birth. Low-dose aspirin from 12 weeks is recommended for people at high risk of preeclampsia.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common pregnancy complications?

Common complications include severe nausea and vomiting, anemia, gestational diabetes, high blood pressure and preeclampsia, miscarriage, preterm labor, and bleeding problems such as placenta previa. Many are detected through routine prenatal checks.

What are warning signs in pregnancy?

Seek urgent care for heavy bleeding, severe headache, vision changes, chest pain or trouble breathing, fever, severe abdominal pain, fluid leaking, regular contractions before 37 weeks, or reduced baby movements.

What makes a pregnancy high risk?

A pregnancy may be high risk because of the parent's age, pre-existing conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure, multiple babies, previous complications, or problems that develop during pregnancy such as preeclampsia.

Can pregnancy complications happen after birth?

Yes. Postpartum hemorrhage, infections, blood clots, postpartum preeclampsia and depression can occur in the days, weeks or months after birth. Urgent warning signs remain important for up to a year.