Teen pregnancy is an issue that has many ramifications. Read on to find startling facts on teenage pregnancies and their consequences. This article is an informative guide on high risk pregnancies that can be the result of various complications such as diabetes or thromboembolic disease and fatty liver. If you have been plagued with headaches or yeast infection or diarrhea during your pregnancy, find out what could be the possible causes.
Teenage pregnancy
Teenagers have high fertility rates, energetic lifestyles and healthy bodies. But they are not emotionally and physically ready for a pregnancy. A teenage pregnancy is generally unplanned and based on decisions such as societal pressures. Teen pregnancy rates have been on the decline since a decade.
But nevertheless teenage pregnancy rates in the US still remain higher than those of other developed nations. It was observed that nearly 12% of all births in the US were teenage births. The staggering figure of nearly 1million teen pregnancies speaks for itself.
The health of a teen mother has a bearing on the baby. It has been noticed that teens are less likely to gain the adequate amount of weight during pregnancy thereby leading to low birth weight babies. Smoking increases the risks of miscarriage and other pregnancy complications such as still birth and premature birth.
Teen pregnancy also runs the risk of pregnancy complications such as anemia, high blood pressure and premature labor. Babies born to teenage mothers were of low birth weight and sometimes had complications such as undeveloped organs and subsequent problems such as respiratory distress or vision loss. Consequences of teen pregnancy:
- Higher levels of dropouts at high school.
- Due to lack of adequate job skills, a teen mother may become dependent on welfare or live in poverty.
- Lack of social support systems and parenting skills lead to a stressful situation arising out of a teen pregnancy
High risk pregnancy
High risk pregnancies can be of many kinds. Pregnancy diabetes is one condition that can lead to a high risk pregnancy, if left unattended. Symptoms of a high risk pregnancy or danger signs in a pregnancy:
- Pelvic or abdominal pain that can be indicative of an ectopic pregnancy or kidney or bladder infection.
- Bleeding during pregnancy can be a sign of an impending miscarriage.
- Absence of fetal movements is a dangerous sign as it usually signifies fetal distress or demise.
- Blurry vision and swelling on hands and face can indicate a high risk of preeclampsia (high blood pressure and protein in urine) in pregnancy.
If a pregnant woman already has diabetes prior to the pregnancy, she must take care of the new demands of pregnancy on her body. Diabetes medication must be suitably managed to control blood sugar levels. It has been noticed that women with diabetes tend to give birth to babies that are larger than others.
This is due to the increased sugar that the fetus receives via the placenta. The extra sugar gets converted to fat and leads to a larger baby. The pregnancy complication that can occur as a result is a cesarean delivery and a careful monitoring of the baby's size. A fever greater than 103 degrees F during the first trimester can result in a high risk pregnancy because of the increased risk of miscarriage and defects of the brain or spinal cord in the baby.
Pregnancy can be complicated by infections such as German measles (rubella), herpes simplex and chickenpox (varicella). Any complication during pregnancy that requires surgery puts the pregnancy in a high risk category. Appendicitis, ovarian cysts and thromboembolic disease can cause problems during pregnancy. Thromboembolic refers to blood clots that form in blood vessels.
These clots can travel through the blood stream and increase the risk factor in the pregnancy. Anemia is another cause for problems in pregnancy since iron is essential in creation of red blood cells in the fetus.
A folic acid deficiency can also lead to anemia. Rh incompatibility is a pregnancy complication that occurs when a pregnant woman has Rh negative blood whereas the fetus has Rh positive blood inherited from the father. This can become a high risk pregnancy during the birth of the second child.
Fatty liver of pregnancy is a rare pregnancy complication that can occur at the end of the pregnancy. It is characterized by nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort and jaundice. It can lead to a high risk pregnancy if this condition is not detected.
Too much or too little amniotic fluid can also complicate a pregnancy. Placenta Previa is a condition that denotes the implantation of the placenta over or near the cervix. This can result in painless vaginal bleeding in late pregnancy. This can become very profuse and endanger the lives of the mother and fetus.
Pregnancy yeast infection
Yeast infection in women in a common occurrence, more pronounced during pregnancy. Symptoms of pregnancy yeast infection are itching, burning, redness and irritation of the vaginal area. It is better to get a pregnancy yeast infection checked by a healthcare professional before going in for over-the-counter treatment. Other infections may have similar symptoms.
Pregnancy yeast infection is more common because of increased vaginal discharge that contains more glycogen and which provides a suitable environment for yeast to grow. Candida Albicans is the common fungi that cause pregnancy yeast infection. Such infection of the mouth is known as thrush.
Diarrhea and pregnancy
Diarrhea may result during pregnancy on account of the increased progesterone levels. You can get stools examined to check for non-typhoid salmonella. Diarrhea in a pregnancy accompanied by cramps and fever could be symptomatic of gastroenteritis.
Another cause of diarrhea during pregnancy could be Giardia lamblia which is primarily a water-borne and sometimes food-borne condition. Continued diarrhea during pregnancy can lead to weakness, dehydration and inadequate absorption of nutrients.
Women with gastrointestinal problems can suffer from diarrhea during pregnancy. It has also been noticed that some antibiotics and antacids cause diarrhea in pregnant women. If you are suffering a stomach virus or mild case of diarrhea during pregnancy, you would do well to drink plenty of fluids and stick to bland foods. But if diarrhea during your pregnancy continues for more than a day, you need to consult your healthcare provider.
Pregnancy headache
Pregnant women tend to get headaches sometimes in the first trimester. Common reasons for a headache during pregnancy are migraine, sinus, eyestrain, depression and fatigue. Pregnancy headaches that come during the early days tend to diminish by the second and third trimesters when the hormones stabilize and the body adjusts itself to the altered chemistry.
One of the ways of relieving the pain of a headache during pregnancy is to use a compress - a cold compress for migraine headache or a warm one at the base of your neck. A shower or cool water splashed on the face can be relieving for a mild headache. A massage can provide some relief to a pregnant woman suffering from a headache.
Relaxation techniques such as yoga and meditation can be helpful in reducing stress headaches during pregnancy. A headache during pregnancy can be a sign of a serious problem. A headache in the third trimester of pregnancy could be indicative of severe preeclampsia - a condition resulting out of high blood pressure and protein in the urine.
If your headache in pregnancy is accompanied by vision changes or sudden swelling of hands or face, you should consult your healthcare provider at once. A headache in pregnancy accompanied by fever and a stiff neck should not be ignored. If you have been experiencing blurry vision and slurred speech along with a headache during pregnancy, it could be indicative of a more serious condition.
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