Complications During Pregnancy

95% of pregnancies are “normal.” That includes nausea, frequent urination, emotional changes, shortness of breath, and heartburn. What “normal” doesn’t include are conditions that may cause complications. Read below to find more detailed information on some of the more common occurrences, i.e., asthma, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, or sickle cell disease.

ABO Incompatibility

ABO incompatibility results when the fetal blood type is different from the mother’s blood type. When the blood types differ, the mother creates antibodies against the fetus’ incompatible blood type. These antibodies enter the placenta and begin to destroy the fetus’ blood cells.

Amniotic Constriction Bands

Amniotic Constriction Bands are created with the placenta (amnion) is damaged during pregnancy and produces fibrous bands that can entrap the fetus-thereby causing deformities of the face, abdominal or chest walls, club foot, or missing limbs or digits.

Asthma in Pregnancy

It is estimated that between 3% and 4% of the general population and 1.0% of preganancies is affected by asthma.

Brachial Plexus Palsy and Fractured Clavicles

Brachial plexus palsy and fractured clavicles are fetal injuries that often result from difficult vaginal deliveries. These injuries usually result from shoulder dystocia (difficulty delivering the shoulders) in an infant with macrosomia (large gestational weight).

Cancer in Pregnancy

Many challenging issues arise when cancer is diagnosed in a pregnant woman. The course of treatment depends on circumstances of the pregnancy and whether the cancer was diagnosed prior to pregnancy.

Cervical Incompetence

Cervical incompetence is defined as a condition where the cervix begins to open and thin due to pressures of the growing fetus and uterus.

Dermatologic Conditions in Pregnancy

Skin changes take place as a normal part of pregnancy. Some of the changes are specific to pregnancy.

Down Syndrome

Down syndrome is a birth defect that occurs in approximately 1 in 900 births. It is the most common birth defect.

Gestational Trophoblastic Disease

This is a term that includes several conditions that are associated with placental abnormalities of a pregnancy.

Headaches and Pregnancy

Many women suffer from mild headaches early in pregnancy. However, these headaches should not be ignored.

HELLP Syndrome

HELLP stands for: Hemolysis, Elevated Liver enzymes, and Low Platelet count. It is an acronym for a severe complication of preeclampsia (toxemia of pregnancy), which occasionally occurs late in pregnancy.

Hematologic Problems in Pregnancy

Anemia is a fairly common condition among women. Due to physiologic changes seen in pregnancy, anemia is even more common than in non-pregnant women.

Intrauterine Growth Retardation

Intrauterine growth retardation is used to describe an infant whose weight is significantly less than expected for its gestational age.

Is the Consumption of Fish Dangerous During Pregnancy?

Healthcare officials have issued a new advisory on the dangers of eating fish. Healthcare officials are concerned that the level of mercury in fish might pose certain risks to a developing fetus.

Lupus and Rheumatoid Arthritis in Pregnancy

Lupus and rheumatoid arthritis are collagen vascular disorders. They both have a predisposition for appearing in women during their childbearing years.


Macrosomia is a term used in obstetrics and gynecology to describe large fetuses/infants. The incidence of greater than 4000 gram (approximately 8 pound infants) is approximately 5%, the incidence of greater than 4500 gram infants (approximately 9 pound infants) is approximately 0.5 to 1%.

Meconium Aspiration

Meconium aspiration results when a fetus or newborn inhales meconium, which can block the airways and irritate the lungs.

Multiple Sclerosis in Pregnancy

Multiple sclerosis (also known as MS) is a common neurological disorder that generally affects young adults. The exact cause of this neurological disorder is unclear.

Oral Opportunistic Infections: Preterm Low Birth Weight Babies

Emerging evidence may link severe periodontal disease in pregnant women to a sevenfold increase in the risk of delivering preterm low birth weight babies.

Placental Abruption

The separation of the placenta from the site of uterine implantation before delivery of the fetus.

Placenta Previa

Placenta previa is a condition that occurs during pregnancy when the placenta implants in the lower part of the uterus and blocks the cervical opening to the vagina, therefore preventing normal delivery.

Postdate Pregnancy

An average of 10% of normal pregnancies extend beyond 42 weeks. These are called postterm or postdate pregnancies.

Preterm Labor

Preterm labor is one of the most serious obstetrical problems. Approximately 1 in 10 births results in preterm labor with preterm delivery of a small infant.

Recurrent Pregnancy Loss

Also called repeated miscarriage, habitual abortion, or recurrent fetal loss. Recurrent pregnancy loss is the inability to carry a pregnancy to term.

Renal Disease and Renal Transplant During Pregnancy

Although fairly uncommon in pregnancy, renal disease (kidney disease) can have fairly serious consequences in pregnancy.

Sarcoidosis and Tuberculosis in Pregnancy

Sarcoidosis and tuberculosis are two pulmonary disorders that can complicate pregnancy. Sarcoidosis is a chronic disorder that affects multiple organ systems and is of unknown etiology. Its prevalence in the United States is approximately 0.02%.

Sickle Cell Disease in Pregnancy

Sickle cell is a disease of red blood cells. This condition presents a number of unique challenges during pregnancy.


Stillbirth is defined as the death of a fetus between the 20th week (5th month) of pregnancy and birth. This is a particularly devastating problem for the parents and physician.

Tests of Fetal Well-Being

These tests are designed to evaluate the status of the placenta and whether or not oxygen and nutrition transferred to the fetus are being affected.

Thrombocytopenia and Hemoglobinopathies in Pregnancy

Thrombocytopenia and hemoglobinopathies are two blood disorders that may be seen in pregnancy. These blood disorders are fairly uncommon, but can cause serious complications.


Thrombophlebitis (throm-bo-fluh-BI-tis) occurs when a blood clot and inflammation develop in one or more of your veins.