Being pregnant is a joyous and memorable event; your body will undergo many changes, and it’s quite normal to experience many different changes in your body, but what are ‘normal’ changes and what are changes that indicate a more sinister and/or underlying concern?
Most changes you experience will be quite minor and more often than not will not have a significant impact on your baby. However there are a few symptoms that can indicate slightly more serious medical conditions that may require medical intervention, this is something we want to explore more below.
Now, this list is not meant to frighten you. Most pregnancies will progress with only very minor issues, but it’s important for you to be aware of what is out there and what could happen and what you could be faced with. This will help you to be better prepared of what to expect, how to best get medical help and/or seek support, should you encounter these problems.
Gestational Diabetes
Up to 14% of expecting mothers in Australia will experience gestational diabetes (GDM) during their pregnancies. Despite having the same name, it is quite unlike type 1 or 2 diabetes, which you will probably already be familiar with.
This is because gestational diabetes only occurs in very specific conditions during pregnancy. It happens when the hormones that the placenta produces affect the insulin in your body. It has nothing to do with lifestyle or what you eat; it’s what is known as a predetermined condition.
There are certain risk factors you should be aware of, including age (if you are over 40), family history of diabetes, excess weight, elevated blood glucose levels, and women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS).
Gestational diabetes is hallmarked by symptoms which include an excessive need for urination, tiredness (particularly during the day), yeast infections and being thirsty frequently.
Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
CMV is one of those conditions that we do not hear often about but is relatively common with over 50% of women will experience it at some point in their lifetime. However, if you are unfortunate enough to have this common virus during pregnancy, it could be somewhat more complicated than just an ordinary virus.
It is important to get a screening for CMV early in your pregnancy, regardless of whether you have presenting symptoms. Many women will not even notice that they have CMV, except perhaps for a slight fever or feeling a little more lethargic than usual.
However, CMV can be serious for babies, most commonly CMV can be linked to brain injuries, seizures, growth issues, learning difficulties and some stillbirths. The best way to reduce the risk of CMV is to take simple precautions such as not sharing food or drinks with other people, for example.
Pre-Eclampsia
5-10% of women will be diagnosed with pre-eclampsia, making it one of the most common conditions during pregnancy. However, if it remains undiagnosed, it can cause serious complications, it can even be fatal for both mums and babies.
Usually, pre-eclampsia will appear in the third trimester, but it can also happen at any any stage throughout the pregnancy. The most common symptom is unexpected high blood pressure. Whilst most symptoms are not too serious or obvious, there are a few things to watch out for: confusion, fatigue, blurry vision, frequent headaches, chest pain, nausea, weight gain, epigastric pain and some difficulty breathing.
Luckily, pre-eclampsia is treatable and with medical assistance can be managed right up until the birth of the baby. Some of the things you can do yourself is to ensure that you are getting plenty of rest, avoid stress and can ensure they take your blood pressure medication on time (if prescribed).
Ectopic Pregnancy
2% of pregnancies in Australia are ectopic; this is where the egg does not attach to the uterus, but elsewhere. The most common place is the fallopian tubes, although it can also occur in the cervix or ovaries. Unfortunately, these pregnancies are not viable and medical intervention is necessary in order to avoid more serious and/or life threatening situations.
There are a few key signs that you will need to be mindful of, these include vaginal bleeding, having a feeling of fainting or lightheadedness, and severe abdominal and/or pelvic pain.
It is important that you seek medical attention as quickly as possible, as early diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy will be vital in ensuring your overall and ongoing health. Early detection can assist in preserving the fallopian tube from long-term, (if not permanent) damage. Be particularly mindful between weeks four and ten of your pregnancy.
Conditions More Common
We have covered a few conditions that may scare you, but they are quite uncommon. Some medical conditions, however, will be experienced by most women throughout their pregnancies. Although minor, they still require a level of maturity to ensure that they do not become more acute.
This category includes the following symptoms, and you should not be alarmed if you suddenly experience them. Usually, they are not a sign of something else, but nevertheless, mention them to your doctor just to be 100% sure.
Constipation
Your body will undergo many hormonal changes during pregnancy. You may find that you will suddenly suffer from regular constipation specifically in the very early stages of your pregnancy. There are several ways you can deal with this condition:
Focus on high fiber foods. These include cereals, fruits, vegetables and wholemeal breads. Beans and lentils are also a good option. You may also consider taking a fiber supplement for a short while.
Drink a lot of water. It’s easy to forget to drink plenty of water, especially when pregnant.
Exercise regularly. Be careful not to over exert yourself.
Say no to iron supplements. Iron can aggravate constipation, if you are prescribed iron supplements, make sure to discuss with your doctor first, as there may be alternatives to classic iron tables that you can take.
Cramps (Feet and Calf Muscles)
Cramps consist of sharp pains that usually come suddenly, most women will experience them in their calf muscles or feet during their pregnancy. It’s not uncommon to wake up in the middle of the night due to cramps.
Ideally, you want to improve circulation. You can do this via foot stretches and rotations. Do this several times a day and you should notice improvements.
What about Pregnancy Itch?
When you’re pregnant, you will usually feel a lot more sweaty, hot and itchy. This is generally nothing out of the ordinary, simply, hormonal changes lead to increased blood flow to your skin, causing discomfort. Wearing loose clothing (natural fibers), having a fan easily available, and washing on a regular basis will make you feel a lot better.
However, extreme itchiness may be something sinister. This is when you wake up in the middle of the night due to the itch, when you scratch so much that scabs develop, and you feel like you just can’t take it anymore.
In some cases, it may be a sign of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP). It is a liver condition that occurs very infrequently, usually towards the end of pregnancy. It can be serious and generally requires medical assistance.
Is your itchiness within the bounds of normal? Then you’re fine. However, if you feel intense itch, on your hands, feet and other parts of your body, get it checked out. You may also see stretch marks and develop jaundiced skin. Don’t take a risk, as a simple blood test will tell you if you have anything to worry about.
It’s Natural to Worry
It’s completely natural to be concerned about conditions you may encounter during pregnancy. But be mindful that many of these are rare and experienced by a minority of expectant mothers.
Of course, conversely, you will not be alone should you experience any of the conditions discussed in this piece. Speak to your doctors and be aware that there are many other mothers going through the same thing.
If you feel overwhelmed, do not be afraid to seek your support network.