Pregnancy-Related Problems

Overview

It's likely you'll be healthy during your pregnancy. You probably won't have any serious health concerns. But it's important for you to be aware of symptoms that may mean you have a more serious problem. Talk with your doctor about any concerns you have while you are pregnant. Then your health problems can be checked quickly.

Many minor problems of pregnancy can be managed at home. Home treatment is usually all that's needed to relieve mild morning sickness or discomfort from heartburn or constipation. You can also use home treatment for sleep problems, hip pain, hemorrhoids, and fatigue. But talk to your doctor before you take any over-the-counter or herbal medicine. Some may not be safe during pregnancy. If you have a problem and your doctor gives you specific instructions, be sure to follow those instructions.

While most problems that occur during pregnancy are minor, you may have more serious symptoms that you need to talk to your doctor about. Your symptoms may be related to:

• Miscarriage. Symptoms may include:
  • Vaginal bleeding. In the first trimester, it may be a sign of miscarriage.
  • Tissue that passes through the vagina. When you pass tissue, you may also pass large blood clots. If you can, collect the tissue and bring it with you when you see your doctor.
  • Cramps.
• Preterm labor. Symptoms may include:
  • Contractions that start before the 37th week of pregnancy.
  • Abnormal vaginal discharge or fluid leaking from your vagina.
  • Belly, pelvic, or back (flank) pain. This pain may come and go regularly.

• Gestational diabetes. You may have symptoms of high blood sugar, such as being very thirsty or having blurred vision. Or you may not have any symptoms at all.

• Infection. Symptoms may include:
  • Fever. Mild fevers that last only a short time usually aren't a concern. A fever that doesn't get better with home treatment or doesn't improve after several days may mean that you have a more serious problem.
  • Nausea and vomiting or diarrhea. Vomiting during pregnancy is more likely to be serious if it happens more than 2 or 3 times a day or if you also have pelvic pain or vaginal bleeding.
  • Urinary problems, such as pain when you urinate, blood in your urine, or a frequent need to urinate without being able to pass much urine.
  • Vaginal problems, such as vaginal pain or itching, abnormal discharge, or sores or rashes in or around the vagina.
• High blood pressure. Sometimes this is the first sign of a serious problem called preeclampsia. Preeclampsia can occur after 20 weeks of pregnancy. Symptoms of very high blood pressure or preeclampsia may include:
  • Sudden swelling in your face, hands, or feet.
  • Rapid weight gain—more than 2 lb (0.9 kg) a week.
  • A severe headache.
  • Vision problems such as blurred or double vision.
  • Pain in the upper right belly.
• Blood clots. The risk of blood clots increases during and after pregnancy. Symptoms may include:
  • Pain or swelling in your arm or leg. Or you may have warmth or redness or any change in color in your arm or leg. These are symptoms of a blood clot in your arm or leg (deep vein thrombosis).
  • Sudden chest pain, trouble breathing, and coughing up blood. These are symptoms of a blood clot in your lung (pulmonary embolism).
• Cholestasis of pregnancy. When bile doesn't flow out of the liver very well, it can cause a liver problem that can make your skin feel very itchy. This problem doesn't cause any serious health problems for you. But it may cause problems for your baby. Your doctor will want to watch you and your baby closely.
• Peripartum cardiomyopathy. This problem may occur during late pregnancy. Symptoms may include shortness of breath, swelling in the legs, and feeling very tired and faint or dizzy.
• Depression. If you are tearful, sad, or anxious, or if you have big mood swings, talk to your doctor. You can also call the Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262). If you have thoughts of hurting yourself, call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-8255 right away.

You may also have other common problems while you're pregnant, like a cold, COVID-19, or the flu, that aren't caused by your pregnancy. Ask your doctor about home treatments for these problems. And make sure to talk to your doctor if you develop more serious symptoms, such as difficulty breathing or a fever that doesn't get better with home treatment.

During the days and weeks after delivery (postpartum period), you can expect that your body will change as it returns to its nonpregnant condition. As with pregnancy changes, postpartum changes are different for each person. Some problems, such as high blood pressure, hemorrhoids, or diabetes, may continue after delivery. You may need to follow up with your doctor about these problems after your baby is born.

Self-care

Managing morning sickness

If you have morning sickness, try these tips to feel better.

• Eat five or six small meals a day.

  It's helpful to always have some food in your stomach, but not too much.

• Eat a small snack when you first wake up.

  Keep a few crackers nearby when you go to sleep so you can eat them before you get up.

• Drink enough fluids.

  Water and other caffeine-free drinks are good choices.

• Try to avoid foods and smells that make you feel sick.

  High-fat or greasy foods, milk, and coffee may make nausea worse. Some foods that may be easier to tolerate include cold, spicy, sour, and salty foods.

• Try foods and drinks made with ginger.

  Foods and drinks made with ginger, like ginger tea, ginger ale, and crystallized ginger, may help with nausea.

• Try P6 acupressure wrist bands.

  Some people find that these anti-nausea wristbands help. You can buy them at most drugstores.

• Take your prenatal vitamins at night.

  And make sure you have something in your stomach when you take them.

• Talk to your doctor or midwife about other things that may help.

  If you're taking iron supplements, ask if they're needed. (Iron can make nausea worse.) And ask your doctor about taking prescription medicine or over-the-counter options such as vitamin B6 or doxylamine to help with symptoms.

If you have vaginal problems, such as vaginal pain or itching or a change in vaginal discharge, talk with your doctor about your symptoms before you try any home treatments or over-the-counter medicines.

Try these tips to help with vaginal problems during pregnancy.

• Don't scratch the vaginal area.

  Relieve itching with cold-water compresses or cool baths. Warm baths may also relieve pain and itching.

• Wear loose-fitting cotton clothing.
  • Stay away from nylon and synthetics. They hold heat and moisture close to the skin, which makes it easier for an infection to start.
  • You may want to remove your pajama bottoms or underwear when you sleep.
• Avoid using scented soap.

  When you wash your vulva, use plain water or a mild, unscented soap.

• Don't douche or use powders, sprays, or perfumes in your vagina or on your vulva.

Treating heartburn

Treating heartburn during pregnancy focuses first on making lifestyle changes, like changing what and how you eat, and on taking nonprescription antacids. Some doctors may also recommend a prescription medicine to treat heartburn.

When to call for help during self-care

Call a doctor if any of the following occur during self-care at home:

• New or increased vaginal bleeding.
• Weakness or lightheadedness.
• Belly pain.
• Swelling of the face, hands, or feet.
• A severe headache.
• Vomiting that gets worse or continues even with home treatment.
• Urinary problems, such as frequent or painful urination or blood in your urine.
• Fever.
• Heartburn that continues even with home treatment.
• Symptoms that occur more often or are more severe.

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