Pregnancy is beautiful, after all, you are bringing a new life into the world and this is amazing. However, within pregnancy, there are challenges and complications all Mums-to-be should be aware of. Many challenges during pregnancy can come in the form of common symptoms, whilst others are much more individual and can become serious.

UTI’s are more common in women anyway, but as a pregnant lady, you can be even more susceptible. Some doctors also theorize that as the uterus grows, its increased weight can block the drainage of urine from the bladder, therefore causing an infection. Look out for signs such as:-

They can be very uncomfortable, but it’s important that you drink plenty of water and get yourself to your GP, who will prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection. Do not leave it, as it can spread to kidneys and blood.

When you are pregnant, your requirements for iron will rise significantly. This is due to the expansion of blood and because baby is using much of your iron intake. If you are beginning pregnancy with low iron levels, you are at more risk to anemia as your journey progresses. Morning sickness can also make it worse. The recommended daily amount of iron for pregnant women is 27 milligrams a day. Some common symptoms of anemia are: –

Your GP can confirm your iron levels with a blood test.

The word ‘Ectopic’ means ‘out of place’, and an ectopic pregnancy is when a fertilized egg implants itself outside of the uterus. Sometimes this is also referred to as a ‘tubal pregnancy’, and occurs when the egg places itself in the fallopian tubes. These tubes do not provide enough space and nurturing for growing baby, causing the fetus to eventually burst through the tube. This is a serious risk to the mother and can cause extensive internal bleeding. First symptoms of an Ectopic pregnancy are: –

As an ectopic pregnancy progresses, other symptoms may develop, including:-

An ultra sound will confirm the high-risk pregnancy, and in most cases an injection of methotrexate will stop the growth of the embryo, terminating the early pregnancy. If the pregnancy is further along, a surgery may be needed to remove it.

Thromboembolic disorders are blood clots that form within the blood vessels. They represent a much more extreme and rare risk in pregnancy. Most complications due to these blood clots occur from injuries which happen during delivery. If a woman has had blood clots from a previous pregnancy they may be given heparin to prevent them from forming again. Symptoms of Thromboembolic disorders include: –

The symptoms usually, but not always, occur in one leg only. Seek advice from your midwife or doctor immediately if you notice one or more of the following symptoms in your leg:

Sources: NHS, WebMD