Pregnancy Complications Guide

Affects 2-10% of pregnancies in the US

High blood sugar that develops during pregnancy, usually diagnosed between 24-28 weeks.

Hyperemesis Gravidarum (Severe Morning Sickness)

0.5-2% of pregnancies

Severe, persistent nausea and vomiting causing dehydration and weight loss.

Gestational Hypertension (Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension)

6-8% of pregnancies

High blood pressure developing after 20 weeks without protein in urine or organ damage.

Anemia in Pregnancy

mild

15-25% of pregnancies

Low red blood cell count or hemoglobin, causing fatigue and other symptoms.

Breech Position (Breech Presentation)

3-4% of full-term pregnancies

Baby positioned feet or bottom first instead of head-down, often requiring C-section delivery.

Serious Complications

Conditions requiring close monitoring and medical intervention.

Preeclampsia

Affects 5-8% of pregnancies

Serious pregnancy complication causing high blood pressure and organ damage, typically after 20 weeks.

Miscarriage (Pregnancy Loss)

10-20% of known pregnancies, often before 12 weeks

Loss of pregnancy before 20 weeks, most commonly in first trimester due to chromosomal abnormalities.

Ectopic Pregnancy

1-2% of pregnancies

Pregnancy implants outside uterus, usually in fallopian tube - medical emergency requiring immediate treatment.

Preterm Labor

10% of pregnancies deliver before 37 weeks

Labor beginning before 37 weeks of pregnancy, risking premature birth.

Placental Abruption

1% of pregnancies

Placenta separates from uterine wall before delivery - emergency requiring immediate delivery.

IUGR - Intrauterine Growth Restriction

3-7% of pregnancies

Baby not growing at expected rate in utero, measuring smaller than gestational age.

Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy (ICP)

1-2% of pregnancies in US, higher in certain populations

Liver condition causing severe itching, usually in third trimester, increasing stillbirth risk.

HELLP Syndrome

0.5-0.9% of pregnancies, 10-20% of severe preeclampsia cases

Life-threatening complication of preeclampsia affecting liver, blood, and clotting.

Oligohydramnios (Low Amniotic Fluid)

4% of pregnancies, 12% of post-term pregnancies

Too little amniotic fluid surrounding baby, which can affect development and delivery.

Polyhydramnios (Excess Amniotic Fluid)

1-2% of pregnancies

Too much amniotic fluid, which can cause preterm labor and other complications.

Rh Incompatibility & Sensitization

15% of population is Rh negative; incompatibility much rarer with RhoGAM

When Rh-negative mother develops antibodies against Rh-positive baby's blood cells.

Molar Pregnancy (Gestational Trophoblastic Disease)

1 in 1000 pregnancies in US

Abnormal placental tissue growth instead of normal pregnancy - requires treatment.

Cervical Insufficiency (Incompetent Cervix)

1-2% of pregnancies

Cervix opens too early in pregnancy without contractions, risking preterm birth.

Postpartum Preeclampsia

1 in 200 postpartum women, 30% of preeclampsia cases develop postpartum

Preeclampsia developing after delivery, usually within first 48 hours but up to 6 weeks postpartum.

Umbilical Cord Prolapse

0.1-0.6% of births

Umbilical cord drops through cervix before baby - emergency requiring immediate C-section.

Placental Complications

Problems with placenta position or function.

Placenta Previa

Affects 1 in 200 pregnancies at term

Placenta covers part or all of the cervix, blocking baby's exit and requiring C-section delivery.

Infections During Pregnancy

Common infections that can affect pregnancy and baby.

Group B Strep Infection

25% of pregnant women carry GBS bacteria

Common bacteria that can pass to baby during delivery, prevented with antibiotics in labor.