24/7 Emergency Care for Pregnancy Complications in Houston

Common Health Complications During A Pregnancy

Vaginal Bleeding

Bleeding can occur for several reasons during a pregnancy.

• Ectopic pregnancy: This is a possibility if you are experiencing heavy bleeding and severe abdominal pain with cramping during your first trimester. Ectopic pregnancy is caused by the implantation of the fertilized egg outside the uterus. This can be life-threatening and emergency care is needed immediately if you are experiencing these symptoms.
• Miscarriage often happens in the first trimester or early in the second trimester. In contrast, bleeding during the third trimester can be due to placental abruption, which happens when the placenta detaches from the uterine wall.

We always recommend immediate medical attention for any woman experiencing vaginal bleeding.

Heavy Nausea and Vomiting

It’s very common for women to experience nausea during pregnancy, which can be severe.

If you are experiencing these symptoms, our ER physicians will ensure you are well hydrated if you are not able to eat or drink. Malnourishment and dehydration can have a severe effect on the mother’s body and the baby’s development. Get medical help immediately if you are at risk.

If you have severe nausea and frequent vomiting, we recommend contacting a healthcare provider as soon as possible. They can prescribe medication or instruct a change in diet.

During an emergency visit you will likely receive medication and IV fluids to help manage dehydration due to nausea and vomiting.

Preeclampsia

This is a common condition among mothers, which can lead to dangerously high blood pressure levels. This can result in death if left untreated. This is a risk that occurs after 20 weeks of pregnancy and often occurs in women with a history of hypertension, previous preeclampsia, kidney diseases, and diabetes.

Other risk factors include first pregnancies, being older than 35, carrying multiple fetuses, and obesity.

The most obvious symptoms of preeclampsia are severe headaches, changes in vision, and under-the-rib pain. Symptoms do not have to appear immediately.

Often, the first symptoms occur when a pregnant woman checks in for a prenatal visit and they are found to have high blood pressure.

At our ER, our physicians will test for kidney and liver functioning to determine whether you have preeclampsia or just high blood pressure.

Staying healthy during pregnancy is the best shot at prevention. You will also want to see a doctor for regular visits during a pregnancy.

Your Water Breaks

When a gush of water runs down your legs, your water may have broken or it could simply be pressure on your bladder that caused it.

If you are unsure, get to the bathroom and empty your bladder. If the fluid rush continues to occur, it could be a membrane rupture. You will want to call your doctor immediately or visit our ER and we can use our ultrasound lab to diagnose you on the same visit.

Gestational Diabetes

This is a common condition found in pregnant women resulting from the woman’s body being unable to break down sugars.

One of its highest risks is that the baby might grow too big, which may cause problems during delivery. For example, the baby’s shoulders might not fit through the cervix. This can be a reason to perform a cesarean when the time comes.

Gestational diabetes often has no visible symptoms, but doctors can diagnose it between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy. Diagnoses can happen earlier for overweight women or those with a previous gestational diabetes history.

Mothers can prevent Gestational diabetes by sticking to a healthy diet, losing weight before pregnancy, and doing regular exercise. Exercise can be as simple as taking a walk for 30 minutes a day or any other fitness routines your physician approves.

Risk Factors

Specific risk factors that might cause pregnancy complications include:

• Advanced maternal age – Women more than 35 years have a higher risk of pregnancy complications
• Car Accidents – Possible effects of car accidents on pregnancy include miscarriage, premature birth, congenital disabilities, internal bleeding, and hemorrhaging.
• Lifestyle choices – your pregnancy is at higher risk if you smoke cigarettes, drink alcohol, or use other illegal drugs.
• Maternal health conditions – these include high blood pressure, diabetes, heart and blood illnesses, obesity, mismanaged asthma, and other infections.
• Pregnancy abnormalities – Complications like abnormal placental position, fetal growth restriction, and rhesus sensitization can cause a high-risk pregnancy.
• Multiple pregnancies – women carrying twins and other multiples are at high risk of developing complications
• Pregnancy history – People with a history of pregnancy complications like preeclampsia, previous premature births, or miscarriages are at high risk of developing pregnancy complications.

When to Be Worried About Pregnancy Cramps

During pregnancy, Mild cramps are common, but do not ignore them. Speak to a physician during your consultation, because a cramp can signal complications such as:

Ectopic Pregnancy

When you notice bleeding followed by cramps during pregnancy, it might be a sign of ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage. Contact your doctor to prevent any further complications. Cramps can also occur with preeclampsia.

During the third trimester, the baby will have grown. You will experience pressure around your pelvis since the baby is kicking. If you experience this, there is usually nothing to worry about. If there is pain that persists, you will want to visit your doctor or an ER.

Premature Labor

During the third trimester, cramps can be due to premature labor. Watch out for these signs of premature labor:

• Change in type of vaginal discharge
• Pelvic pressure
• Increase in vaginal discharge
• Dull backache
• Painless uterine contractions