Pregnancy complications

Possible pregnancy complications

• Pregnancy loss

  Sadly, some pregnancies end during the pregnancy or birth.

• Intrauterine infection (chorioamnionitis)

  Intrauterine infection, also known as chorioamnionitis, is infection within the womb.

• Premature birth - information and support

  A 'premature' or 'preterm' baby is one that is born before 37 weeks. If your baby is born early - also called 'premature' or 'preterm' - they may need special care as they may not be fully developed.

• Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS)

  Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune disorder in which the body’s immune system makes antibodies that attack and damage its own tissues or cells.

• Cervical incompetence (also known as cervical insufficiency)

  When the cervix shortens and opens in the second trimester (16 to 24 weeks) or early in the third trimester without any other symptoms of labour it may be referred to as "cervical incompetence".

• Group B Strep and pregnancy

  In rare cases the Group B Strep bacteria can cause complications in pregnancy and birth.

• Multiple pregnancy

  Multiple pregnancy means carrying more than one baby, normally twins.

• Obstetric cholestasis/Intraheptic cholestasis of pregnancy

  Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP), also known as obstetric cholestasis (OC), is a liver disorder that can develop during pregnancy.

• Low-lying placenta (placenta praevia)

  The placenta is your baby’s support system in the womb. If the placenta doesn’t work properly, your baby is at risk of health problems.

• Placental abruption

  The placenta is your baby’s support system in the womb. If your placenta doesn’t work properly, your baby is at risk of health problems.

• Pre-eclampsia

  Pre-eclampsia is a combination of hypertension (raised blood pressure) and proteinuria in pregnancy (the presence of protein in your urine).

• Uterine abnormality - problems with the womb

  Some women have a congenital uterine abnormality, which is a womb/uterus that formed in an unusual way before birth.

• Waters breaking early (PPROM)

  If your waters break early, seek medical advice straight away as you could be at risk of premature labour.

• IUGR: problems with your baby's growth in the womb

  Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), also known as fetal growth restriction (FGR) is a condition in which a baby's growth slows or stops when they are in the womb.

• Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (SPD) or Pelvic Girdle Pain (PGP)

  This is a common condition that causes pain in the pelvic joints in pregnancy. It affects up to 1 in 5 women.

• Type 1 or 2 diabetes in pregnancy

  If you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, you will be used to managing it, but during pregnancy changes to your body and hormones mean that your previous treatment and self-care might have to change.

• Gestational diabetes

  Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that can develop during pregnancy. It is also known as ‘hyperglycaemia in pregnancy’.