Common Concerns Arising During Pregnancy

Few things in this world can cause a woman (or a couple) more stress than to have something untoward occur during the pregnancy.  It does not matter whether this happens to be your first or your fifth pregnancy, there are still a number of potential mishaps which may occur before the delivery date, and they are much easier to face when you are prepared for them and know exactly what you are up against.

VAGINAL BLEEDING

This is also commonly referred to as “spotting”, but it is imperative that you find out exactly what it is if and when it does occur.  There is in actuality a marked difference between what is commonly referred to as spotting versus active bleeding.  Spotting refers to a light discharge of blood similar to what most women experience every month during their menstrual bleeding; the blood may be pink, red or even brownish.  If there is any pain associated with your bleeding you need to contact your physician, or go to the E. R. if he or she is not available right there and then. 

This is because active, painful bleeding can be the result of a number of conditions, including ectopic implantation, impending labor, an active infection, or even a miscarriage.  These conditions are all unlikely from a statistical point of view, but it is always safest to check with a physician so that they can be ruled out as the source of your bleeding.  You will get some peace of mind as well.

ABDOMINAL PAIN AND/OR CRAMPING

During the course of your pregnancy, it is not always easy to differentiate between a pain which is increasing in intensity versus normal abdominal cramping.  Regardless, the first thing to do when you do experience any kind of pain is to get some rest.  If it does not subside after several minutes, then you must contact your physician and provide him with a detailed description of the pain.  Of no concern should be the finding of Braxton-Hicks contractions, since they are likely to signify that all is well with your pregnancy.

DISCHARGE OF LIQUID:

During the later stages of the pregnancy this is very often the signal that you have indeed gone into labor and the liquid discharge is the result of your water breaking.  If you are not close to term, however, it can mean something else entirely.  For this reason, contact your physician ASAP and take yourself to the Emergency Department of your local hospital.

DEHYDRATION

It is not a hard thing to do to become dehydrated while pregnant, especially when you have been the victim of morning sickness.  It may also occur simply from not ingesting the recommended 8 glasses per day of water or juice.  If you suddenly notice yourself to be more pale, or that your mouth is dry or you feel dizzy or faint, these are all common symptoms of dehydration and you should be seen by your physician without delay.  Do not ignore these symptoms since dehydration is a relatively common, and entirely avoidable, cause of premature delivery and fetal distress.

PAIN DURING URINATION:

This rather uncomfortable symptom is often the first sign that you may be suffering from an infection of the urinary tract, commonly called a UTI.  It can be treated easily with the proper antibiotics in combination with healthy amounts of fluids such as cranberry juice.  As your belly grows, it pushes up against the ureter and obstructs the flow of urine, and the resulting retention can lead to infection.  Having a foul odor to your urine is also a common sign of a UTI.  Its not the end of the world by any means, but your doctor should be contacted as soon as possible so it can be adequately treated.