Everyone hopes for a healthy pregnancy, an easy delivery, and a happy, full-term baby. And in most cases, that's exactly what happens. However, some pregnancies can result in complications.
Pregnancy complications can be minor or serious. At UPMC, we provide experienced, compassionate care throughout your pregnancy journey. Our experts can keep you informed about any risk factors you may have and help you achieve the healthiest pregnancy possible.
Even the most textbook pregnancy involves some level of risk. Many physical and emotional changes take place in a person's body after conception. Even if your pregnancy goes smoothly, it's good to be aware of potential problems.
Here are the most serious risks and complications of pregnancy.
The most serious risk of pregnancy is the death of the mother, either from a complication of pregnancy or delivery. Fortunately, it's rare nowadays for a person to die during pregnancy or childbirth in the U.S. But it does still happen.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2022, there were 817 maternal deaths in the U.S. That works out to 22.3 deaths per 100,000 live births.
A maternal death means death while pregnant or within 42 days of the end of the pregnancy, no matter if it was full-term or not. The CDC also notes that maternal mortality rates are higher for Black people, other minorities, and those over age 40.
Pregnancy loss is an umbrella term for the death of an unborn baby at any time during pregnancy. Most pregnancy losses happen soon after conception but can also occur later in the pregnancy.
Doctors define pregnancy loss before the 20th week of gestation as a miscarriage. The American Academy of Family Physicians estimates that 10% to 20% of all known pregnancies end in miscarriage.
The Office on Women's Health says most happen in the first eight weeks of pregnancy. The cause of miscarriage is often unknown but frequently due to genetic issues with the embryo.
A stillbirth is a pregnancy loss after the 20th week of gestation. It could happen before, during, or right after delivery. Stillbirth is less common than miscarriage.
About one baby in 175 is stillborn, according to the CDC. Each year, about 21,000 babies are stillborn in the U.S. The cause of stillbirth is often unknown.
The next biggest risk in pregnancy is having a premature baby. "Preemies" are more likely to have medical problems and developmental delays than full-term infants. Doctors classify a birth as preterm if the baby is born before 37 weeks of pregnancy.
Preterm birth is common. The CDC says that about one in 10 babies born in the U.S. is premature. The earlier the baby is born and the smaller it is, the more likely it is to have health problems.
Being pregnant with twins, triplets, or more multiples is one of the leading risk factors for preterm birth and low birthweight babies.
Premature infants are at greater risk for:
Babies born too early often need to stay in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of the hospital for weeks or even months. Some go home with oxygen machines and other medical equipment. Having a premature baby can take its toll on a family emotionally, physically, and financially.
Doctors see some pregnancy problems more than others. These are some of the most common complications of pregnancy.
The fetus floats in a sac of amniotic fluid. If there's too much or too little, it can cause problems with the pregnancy.
Factors that affect levels of amniotic fluid include conditions like diabetes, anemia, infections, genetic disorders, and medications you take. Often, the cause of amniotic fluid problems is unknown.
Too much amniotic fluid is polyhydramnios. If it is severe, your doctor may need to drain some fluid from the uterus with a thin needle.
Complications of too much amniotic fluid include:
Too little amniotic fluid is oligohydramnios. If you don't have enough amniotic fluid, the fetus may not grow as much as it should.
Other complications include:
It's not always obvious when something is wrong with your amniotic fluid. That's one reason it's important to see your obstetrician for regular prenatal checkups. They can catch problems early when they're easier to treat.
While aches and pains are usually not serious pregnancy complications, they can add to your overall discomfort and unease. Pregnancy weight and loose ligaments can result in low back pain, especially if you don't move much or practice good posture.
Try to avoid:
Good posture can help prevent back pain during pregnancy. Try to keep your body in a straight line from ears to shoulders to hips and knees, and stand up straight and tall. Hold your chest high and pull your belly to your spine to keep your abdominals working.
When you sleep, position yourself on your left side. This allows for the best circulation and less pressure on your veins and organs. A pillow between your legs may also help ease back pain.
Gestational diabetes happens when a person who didn't have diabetes before pregnancy develops it during pregnancy. The CDC says it affects between 2% and 10% of pregnancies yearly in the U.S.
Gestational diabetes happens when the body can't make enough insulin when you're pregnant. Insulin is a hormone made by the pancreas. It allows blood sugar to go into the cells in your body to use as energy.
During pregnancy, your body uses insulin less effectively. Doctors call this insulin resistance. The glucose builds up in your blood and causes diabetes or high blood sugar.
Gestational diabetes can lead to preeclampsia. It can also lead to having a very large baby, which makes delivery difficult and increases the risk of needing a C-section. About 50% of people with gestational diabetes go on to develop type 2 diabetes, according to the CDC.
Many people have nausea and vomiting during pregnancy, especially in the first few months. Although people call this condition "morning sickness," it can last all day long. Typically, it goes away in the second trimester.
But some people have a more severe form of morning sickness, which doctors call hyperemesis gravidarum. They experience nausea and severe vomiting throughout the day. They may lose weight, have no appetite, feel faint, and get dehydrated.
Sometimes hyperemesis gravidarum subsides after the first trimester, but it can last throughout the whole pregnancy.
If you have a severe case of hyperemesis gravidarum, you may need hospitalization. You'll receive food and nutrients through a tube and liquids through an intravenous (IV) line.
The placenta is an organ that forms in the uterus. Through the umbilical cord, it provides the fetus with oxygen and nutrients. Complications happen when the placenta attaches in the wrong place or detaches.
Placental abruption is when the placenta detaches from the uterine wall too soon. This leads to bleeding and a lack of oxygen and nutrients in the fetus. The detachment may be by degrees, so treatment varies depending on how completely the placenta gets detached.
Placental abruption is more common among people who smoke, have high blood pressure, or are carrying multiples. You may need to stay in the hospital for the rest of the pregnancy if your placenta separates. You may need to deliver the baby early.
This condition happens when the placenta lies low in the uterus, near the opening to the cervix. Delivering vaginally is impossible because the placenta blocks the entry to the birth canal. It tends to happen in people who've already had several pregnancies, fibroids, or previous uterine surgery.
If you have placenta previa, your doctor will watch your pregnancy closely. You may need to be on bed rest, especially if you've had a lot of bleeding. You'll likely need a c-section to deliver the baby.
Preeclampsia is pregnancy-induced high blood pressure. An unusual amount of protein in the urine often accompanies the high blood pressure. It usually happens after the 20th week of pregnancy, most often (but not always) in a person's first pregnancy.
Symptoms of preeclampsia include:
If you're pregnant and having any of these symptoms, go to the ER immediately. If preeclampsia progresses to eclampsia, it can be life-threatening. Seizures, vision loss, and permanent disabilities can occur.
To treat preeclampsia, doctors may recommend bed rest, hospitalization, blood pressure medicine, and sometimes early delivery. Preeclampsia typically goes away after delivery, but doctors will continue to monitor your blood pressure.
People with a short cervix and those whose cervix becomes short during pregnancy have a greater risk of preterm birth. Doctors measure the length of the cervix with a vaginal ultrasound. This test can help determine if they are at risk for preterm birth.
To some extent, many pregnancy issues are out of your control. You can eat right, stop drinking alcohol, go to every prenatal appointment, and still end up with preeclampsia or gestational diabetes. Sometimes, these events happen for no known reason.
However, your risk of complications is lower if you lead a healthy lifestyle and make wise decisions before and during pregnancy. Here are the steps you should take to ensure the best odds of a healthy pregnancy and safe delivery.
Being too heavy or too thin can reduce your odds of conceiving and having a healthy pregnancy. Strive to stay within the limits of the weight gain your doctor recommends.
The CDC's current recommendations for pregnancy weight gain depend on your pre-pregnancy weight.
If you are:
One of the best things you can do for yourself and your developing baby is see your obstetrician regularly. Through routine prenatal visits, your doctor can catch any problems early, when there is the best chance of treating them.
Adopt these healthy habits when you're pregnant.
At UPMC, our obstetricians have been nationally ranked for excellence in maternity care. We also provide full prenatal care and consultations with a team of national and global maternal-fetal medicine experts.
This person-centered approach brings together a full range of specialists, depending on your condition. That includes doctors experienced in dealing with pregnancy complications. We also bring in experts from related fields to provide cutting-edge care for people at high risk of pregnancy complications.
Last reviewed by a UPMC medical professional on 2024-09-05.
