Sometimes a pregnancy may be the last thing you wanted in life but most of the times it just gives you so much of pleasure to know that you are soon to have a baby to have your own family to be a mother.

You do get jittery as to how would you carry on this responsibility and how will your pregnancy go. During pregnancy most women do experience certain discomfiture like morning sickness which can be in the form of vomiting, weakness, backache etc and this is quite normal.

But, there is a fine line which differentiates the normal from the abnormal and hence, knowledge of some danger signs of pregnancy can help you in being alert, taking care of yourself and the child and approaching the doctor at the right time.

Danger Signs Of Pregnancy

Some of the danger signs of pregnancy that you should be aware of are extreme weakness wherein you feel dizzy and faint. Spotting or bleeding from the vagina during the initial months of pregnancy is normal but this should be light i.e. brown in color.

If the bleeding is dark or is accompanied with clots it is a matter of concern. If you experience a severe kind of cramping in the first 4 to 5 months or if you suffer from fever or high blood pressure you need to be careful.

Some women also experience tenderness, cramps or pain in the abdomen – this pain could be continuous or it could arise all of a sudden especially when the abdomen is pressed. Vomiting continually which could lead to weight loss and dehydration are also to be reported to the doctor.

Some other symptoms that you should beware of are swelling of the hands, feet, face etc. Blurring of vision, bleeding of the retina because of high blood pressure, higher protein content in the urine too could be a sign of something serious. In case if you notice that your baby is moving lesser than normal you need to raise an alarm.

Some symptoms could even be a sign of pre mature delivery like dull pain in the lower back, experience of contractions very often like say every 10 minutes, pressure in the pelvic region as though the baby is coming out, abdominal pain/ cramps, Water i.e. pink/ brown or clear fluid running down from the vagina etc.

Pregnancy Complications

The signs that are exhibited by your body could have different meanings – Some of them could be very dangerous and require immediate medical attention like the unusual and abnormal cramping and bleeding that one would experience especially during the first 4 – 5 months could quite possibly be a sign of a miscarriage.

Some women could even be suffering from ectopic pregnancy i.e. when the pregnancy occurs in the fallopian tubes, cervix and pelvis or anywhere but the uterus. In this case as the pregnancy proceeds it causes the tearing away of the tubes which could lead to the bleeding, fatigue, dizziness and drop in blood pressure that one may experience.

These symptoms usually occur at around 6 to 16 weeks. You have to be careful about this situation as, if not treated, it could lead to death of the mother too. Some women also suffer from Gestational diabetes. Some of the symptoms they experience in such cases are feeling very thirsty or hungry, urinating frequently, tiredness etc.

Vaginal bleeding and/or the pain that one may experience in the abdominal region continuously or upon touching could be a sign of ‘abruptio placenta’ which is breaking of the uterus walls much before the delivery. This condition would require the hospitalization of the mother.

Continuous vomiting, dehydration and weight loss could be a sign of ‘hyperemesis gravidarum’. This could even induce labor pain quite early in pregnancy and if it is accompanied with high blood pressure it could result in blood spots in the eye. If the mother is suffering from fever, it could be a sign of some infection or illness. This too could lead to early labor.

Lesser movement from the baby could be a sign of fetal distress. Experiencing high protein levels in urine, swelling of face and other body parts with high blood pressure could signal ‘eclampsia’. In the early stages in can be treated at home but if it gets worse it would need hospitalization and yes, if not treated it could lead to seizures, coma etc.

Tips to prevent and Combat Danger Signs of Pregnancy

It is noted that that a majority of the cases of maternal death takes place because these warning signs are overlooked as being something quite normal. In fact studies show that more than half of such deaths can be prevented if timely medication is provided.

Moreover, taking care of such things can also reduce the risk of a baby being born with defects. In some cases the doctor could even give some medications to delay the delivery (in case of preterm labor). Hence, it is important that you notify your doctor of any untoward things you feel.

Some of the things that you could do to have a safe pregnancy are to ensure that you have a proper diet. Consult a nutritionist. Make sure that you provide your body with all the nutrients it needs especially at this point of your life. Yes, avoid smoking and drinking alcohol or caffeine. At the same time, you also have to ensure that you exercise.

Exercise can help in keeping your body (muscles) strong and flexible. It will also help in relaxing you but remember not to exert yourself too much. The exercise has to be in moderation and light. This would even help you shed off the excess weight that you have gained after your delivery.

Do not wear clothes which are too tight or especially those which exert pressure on your abdomen. Remember, that your body is changing and you would need clothes that would keep you comfortable and would adjust to the changes that are taking place in your body. Lastly, it is important that you bring to the notice of your doctor the experience of any of the danger signs mentioned above.

Photo Credit: Parentsconnect.com