Chapter 48
8 Common Problems in Pregnancy
Pregnancy is straightforward for the majority of women, but occasionally problems occur. The
aim of antenatal care is to identify such problems early, and hopefully deal with them. Below are
some of the common problems associated with pregnancies.^1
- Miscarriage
Most miscarriages occur in the first three months of pregnancy and usually begin with vaginal
bleeding, followed by pain low down in the abdomen. It is important to contact your doctor if you
experience any vaginal bleeding. You may have to go into hospital for a D and C (dilation and
curettage) to ensure that any remnants of placenta have been removed, and in order to avoid
further bleeding and possible infection.
Losing your baby, even early in pregnancy, can be very upsetting. Many women feel a deep
sense of loss and blame the miscarriage on something they have done, but it is the body’s natural
way of dealing with a problem that cannot be solved, so try not to feel guilty.
In some cases of threatened miscarriage, by lying down and resting for a few days the
pregnancy stabilizes and continues normally.
- Ectopic Pregnancy
This is a condition in which the fertilized egg implants and begins to grow outside the uterus,
usually in one of the fallopian tubes. As it grows, the tube begins to stretch, causing a sharp pain
on one side of the abdomen. Other symptoms include vaginal bleeding and feelings of faintness
or dizziness. If you have these symptoms, it is important to contact your doctor immediately. The
pregnancy must be terminated, and usually the fallopian tube has to be removed.^2