Pregnancy Complications (Cont.)

Pregnancy Complications: Ectopic Pregnancy

An ectopic pregnancy is when the fertilized egg implants outside of the uterus, usually in the fallopian tube. Symptoms of this pregnancy complication include:
 
  • Slight, irregular vaginal bleeding that often is brownish
  • Pain in the lower abdomen, often on one side, followed by severe pelvic pain
  • Shoulder pain
  • Faintness or dizziness
  • Nausea or vomiting.
     
Because the embryo of an ectopic pregnancy cannot survive, it is removed surgically; or the woman is treated with a cancer drug, methotrexate, which dissolves the pregnancy.
 

Pregnancy Complications: Gestational Diabetes

Gestational diabetes is a form of diabetes that usually occurs in the second or third trimester of pregnancy. Symptoms may include extreme thirst, hunger, or fatigue; usually, there are no symptoms.
 
Most women with this pregnancy complication can control their blood sugar levels with diet and exercise. Some women with gestational diabetes or women who had diabetes before pregnancy need shots of insulin to keep blood sugar levels under control.
 

Pregnancy Complications: Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a virus that can cause liver damage. The hepatitis B virus can be passed from the mother to the baby.
 
Often, there are no hepatitis B symptoms. If symptoms are present, they may include:
 
  • Flu-like symptoms, such as mild fever
  • Headache
  • Muscle aches and tiredness
  • Loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
  • Dark-colored urine and pale bowel movement
  • Stomach pain
  • Skin and whites of eyes turning yellow (jaundice)
  • Liver problems.
     
Within 12 hours of birth, your baby will need a shot called HBIG, along with the first hepatitis B shot.
 
(Pregnancy Complications Continued: Page 3)

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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD