Gestational Diabetes
Gestational diabetes is not uncommon. On average, 10% of pregnant women experience this pregnancy complication.
Gestational diabetes is indicated by high blood sugar levels and can manifest as fatigue, hunger, and extreme thirst.
Pregnant women can usually easily control and even avoid this complication with a healthy diet and exercise. Some women may need to check their sugar levels regularly during pregnancy if they are at risk of developing gestational diabetes.
In more severe cases of gestational diabetes, the mother may need insulin. If a mother developed gestational diabetes during pregnancy, she may need to continue testing her blood sugar after the baby is born to make sure she does not develop type 2 diabetes.
At her first prenatal appointment, her doctor will check her blood sugar to see if she is at risk for gestational diabetes.
If she is preparing a birth plan, she must list any medical problems she has so that everyone included in her birth plan knows how to handle complications.
Gestational diabetes can also lead to other pregnancy complications, such as a larger baby, a C-section, high blood pressure or preeclampsia, or low blood sugar.
Placenta Previa
Placenta previa is where the placenta effectively prevents the baby from coming out of the birth canal. This complication is not uncommon, occurring in about 1 in 200 pregnancies.
placenta previa can be either, complete, partial, or marginal.
The complete and partial will require a cesarean section, while the marginal can often still result in a vaginal delivery.
Placenta previa is diagnosed by ultrasound, most often during the second trimester.
Symptoms often include bright red bleeding in the second trimester, contractions (that are not false contractions), and breech babies.
Preterm Labor And Birth
Did you know that around 25% of babies are born on schedule?
This means that up to 15 million babies are born prematurely or before 37 weeks gestation, with the rest born after their due date. Technically, preterm labor occurs when the expectant mother begins to feel contractions between 20 and 37 weeks of gestation and the cervix begins to open.
Often, preterm labor can lead to preterm birth, also known as a premature baby.
The earlier in the gestation period preterm labor occurs, the more likely it is that the baby will have health problems and need to spend time in the neonatal intensive care unit.
