What Are Pregnancy Complications?
Published: May 2023
Pregnancy can bring both joy and medical challenges. Awareness of common complications helps in early detection and better outcomes for both mother and baby.
🩺 Maternal Complications
- Pre‑eclampsia and hypertensive disorders: Affects about 5–10% of pregnancies globally and contributes significantly to maternal mortality. ([Pre‑eclampsia affects 2–8% worldwide]:contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1})
- Gestational diabetes: Risk of large birthweight, delivery complications, and neonatal issues. ([gestational diabetes risks]:contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2})
- Anemia: Iron-deficiency anemia is highly prevalent in South Asia (up to 75%), increasing risks of fatigue, preterm birth, and low birth weight. ([anemia prevalence]:contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3})
- Venous thromboembolism (VTE): Elevated clotting risk during pregnancy raises risk of DVT or pulmonary embolism. ([VTE risk]:contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4})
- Peripartum cardiomyopathy: Rare heart failure in late pregnancy/postpartum, more common with age, multiple pregnancies, or hypertension. ([cardiomyopathy risk factors]:contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5})
🤰 Obstetric & Fetal Complications
- Preterm labor and birth: Most frequent complication—affects ~16% in some cohorts; major cause of neonatal morbidity. ([preterm delivery 16.3%]:contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6})
- Ectopic pregnancy & miscarriage: Miscarriage early in pregnancy occurs in ~10–20% of known pregnancies; risk rises with age. ([miscarriage 10–20%]:contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7})
- Placental complications: Includes previa, accreta, and placental abruption—leading causes of hemorrhage and labor issues. ([placental issues]:contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8})
- Obstructed labor & fistula: Unresolved labor can lead to obstetric fistulas, especially in low-resource settings. ([fistula global burden]:contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9})
- Infections & vertical transmission: TORCH infections, hepatitis, HIV, and bacterial infections can impact both mother and baby risk and outcomes. ([hep B risk mothers])