World Health Day: Eclampsia, Hyperemesis Gravidarum – Pregnancy Complications And Ways To Avoid Them

World Health Day: It is important to get early and regular prenatal care, or healthcare during pregnancy, in order to reduce the risk of suffering from pregnancy complications.

Pregnancy complications do not only affect the mother, but can also impact the foetus. In some cases, women who were healthy before pregnancy, and who maintained a balanced diet and proper lifestyle may also suffer from pregnancy complications. 

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World Health Day 2023: Pregnancy takes a huge toll on a woman's physical and mental health, because not only must the lady take care of her own health during this critical and delicate period, but also of her unborn child. However, some women may suffer from pregnancy complications due to various reasons such as improper diet and lifestyle, stress, and genetic factors, among others. 

The complications do not only affect the mother, but can also impact the foetus. In some cases, women who were healthy before pregnancy, and who maintained a balanced diet and proper lifestyle may also suffer from pregnancy complications. 

Therefore, it is important to get early and regular prenatal care, or healthcare during pregnancy, in order to reduce the risk of suffering from pregnancy complications. Prenatal care enables health care providers to diagnose, treat and manage conditions before they become serious, and can also help identify mental health concerns related to pregnancy, such as anxiety and depression. 

What pregnancy complications can women suffer from?

Some common pregnancy complications include high blood pressure; infections, including sexually transmitted infections; ectopic pregnancy, a complication in which the embryo implants outside the uterus, usually in a fallopian tube; gestational diabetes, which develops in a woman who did not have diabetes before pregnancy; preeclampsia, a serious medical condition in which a woman, after her 20th week of pregnancy, shows signs of liver or kidney damage, and has high blood pressure, and which can lead to preterm delivery and death; eclampsia, which is the new onset of seizures or coma in a pregnant woman with preeclampsia; preterm labour, which refers to labour beginning before 37 weeks of pregnancy; miscarriage, which can occur due to natural causes before 20 weeks, and is characterised by vaginal bleeding, cramping or the passing of tissue from the vagina; stillbirth, which refers to the loss of pregnancy after the 20th week of pregnancy; anxiety and depression; iron-deficiency anaemia, a condition in which the body does not have enough iron, making the woman feel tired and experience shortness of breath; hyperemesis gravidarum, a condition in which the woman experiences nausea that does not go away, and also suffers from reduced appetite, dehydration and weight loss; amniotic fluid complications; and placental complications. 

Amniotic fluid complications include polyhydramnios, a condition in which a woman has too much amniotic fluid (the liquid surrounding the foetus) in her uterus during pregnancy; and oligohydramnios, or low amniotic fluid, a condition in which the amount of amniotic fluid is less than expected for a baby's gestational age.

Placental complications, such as low-lying placenta (the structure that provides oxygen and nutrients to the growing baby, and removes waste products from the child); retained placenta, a condition in which part of the placenta remains in the womb after giving birth; placenta praevia, a condition in which the placenta is completely covering the cervix, or the narrow passage forming the lower end of the uterus; and placental abruption, a condition in which the placenta starts to come away from the wall of the womb. 

How women can avoid pregnancy complications

According to experts, physical and mental health conditions that affect the health of a postpartum individual and their child are also examples of pregnancy complications.

“Complications of pregnancy include physical and mental conditions that affect the health of the pregnant or postpartum person, their baby, or both,”Dr. Akta Bajaj, Senior Consultant and Head – Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Ujala Cygnus Group of Hospitals, told ABP Live.

Women can avoid pregnancy complications by consuming healthy food, maintaining a proper lifestyle, avoiding smoking and drinking, and taking the correct medications.

In order to avoid pregnancy complications, women must take a prenatal vitamin, exercise regularly, change their cores, track their weight gain, wear comfortable clothing and shoes, consume folate-rich foods such as lentils, asparagus, oranges and fortified cereals, calcium-rich foods such as dairy, canned fish and soy, eat fibre-rich foods and fish, except for those high in mercury,” Dr. Manju Wali, Senior Consultant – Obstetrics And Gynaecology, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Patparganj, told ABP Live.

Dr Wali also said that pregnant women must positively eat five or six well-balanced meals every day. They must avoid soft cheeses, including the unpasteurised ones such as Brie and Feta which may contain bacteria that can cause fever, miscarriage or pregnancy complications. 

It is extremely important for pregnant women to ensure that they do not overeat, because they need only 300 to 500 calories per day. 

According to Dr Wali, pregnant ladies should also limit their caffeine intake, avoid alcohol and smoking, including second-hand smoke, drink plenty of fluids, wear their sunscreen, and avoid changing cat litter, because it can increase the risk of toxoplasmosis.

Dr Wali recommended that pregnant women write a birth plan, maintain a food diary, educate themselves, and avoid toxic cleaners and heavy lifting.

Sometimes, women should give in to their cravings. Also, pregnant women should immediately call their doctor if they have concerns about their health, get enough sleep, wear their seatbelt, get enough sleep, visit their dentist, and avoid over-the-counter medications and herbal remedies without medical consultation, Dr Wali said.

Dr Wali also suggested that pregnant women should take a pregnancy class, babysit a friend’s child for real-world experience, tour birth facilities, practise relaxation techniques such as yoga, stretching, deep breathing and massaging on a daily basis, and stretch before going to bed to avoid leg cramps.

Pregnant women must never overmedicate themselves, or perform excess exercise.

Consumption of fruits and green leafy vegetables will ensure that the pregnant keeps herself as well as the baby healthy.

“During pregnancy, women should consume foods such as whole fruits, protein-rich beans, and green leafy vegetables,” Dr. Indrani Salunkhe, Gynaecologist, Wockhardt Hospitals, Mumbai Central, told ABP Live.

This will also help avoid pregnancy complications.

“Walking is a great exercise for pregnant women. It allows moderate aerobic activity and improves joint mobility. Swimming too is a good exercise for pregnant women,” Dr Salunkhe added.

The best way to avoid pregnancy complications is to receive proper medical attention before, during and after pregnancy. Women who are planning a baby must bring changes in their food and lifestyle habits months before they intend to conceive.

“To reduce the chance of pregnancy complications, it is crucial for anyone who may become pregnant to receive medical attention before, during, and after pregnancy. Eat well, maintain a healthy weight, care for your emotional well-being, abstain from using tobacco products, and limit or avoid alcohol before becoming pregnant. Preconception care can also assist you in being as healthy as possible prior to becoming pregnant,” Dr Rashmi Baliyan, Consultant – Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Primus Super Speciality Hospital, told ABP Live.

Emotional support from family members, especially a pregnant woman’s partner, is one of the most crucial factors to ensure the lady’s emotional well-being. If a woman takes care of her mental health, the risk for pregnancy complications can be evaded manifold.