Complications of pregnancy and their preventive measures

Description :   Pregnant women often experience various complications and these complications should be prevented

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Pregnant women often experience various complications and these complications should be prevented in proper manner otherwise it may affect the maternal health.

Below points will discuss about the complications which are commonly faced by pregnant women and their preventive measures –

Morning sickness

• It is a very common complication of pregnancy generally characterized by nausea and occasional vomiting especially at morning
• It can be disruptive as well as distressing
• It is mainly caused by the adaptation to HCG hormone (human chorionic gonadotropin hormone) during first trimester
• If the vomiting persists for long period then pregnant women may develop a condition named hyperemesis gravidarum, which is very severe in its manifestation and proper medical treatment is required for this condition

 Preventive measures

• The symptoms can be easily improved with consumption of B vitamins especially Vitamin B6. Foods, which contain Vitamin B6 such as poultry, soybean, peanut,  wheat germ, banana, oats etc should be included in the diet
• Consumption of ginger is also very effective for improving the symptoms of morning sickness
• It is better to have dry biscuits before rising from beds, as it helps to decrease nausea
• Small amount of meal should be consumed frequently
• Consumption of protein rich snacks, especially which are bland and dry in nature, play imperative role in preventing morning sickness
• It is better to consume liquid between meal rather than consuming it with meal
• Consumption of such foods, which are responsible for triggering nausea as well as vomiting like fried foods, flavored vegetables, large amount of coffee and spicy foods should be avoided
• It should be kept in mind that vomiting caused by morning sickness may develop dehydration, which is very much detrimental for maternal health thus it is better to maintain normal fluid and electrolyte balance of the body

Hemorrhoids

• It is another complication of pregnancy generally occurred during the later part of the gestational period
• It is characterized by developing enlarged veins within the anus, which often protrude through anal sphincter
• It is mainly caused by the downward pressure produced by increased weight of the baby
• It may develop a sensation of itching and burning
• It may also develop severe discomfort, as under the pressure of bowl movement it may rupture and bleed

Preventive measure

• It can be easily treated by consuming adequate fibre rich food
• Generally whole grain cereal products, oats, rye, barley, green leafy vegetables, pears, oranges, melon, berries, pulses, legumes, nuts, seeds, beans, peas are considered as the rich source of fibre thus these type of foods should be included in the diet of pregnant women
• Water should be consumed abundantly
• Proper rest should be taken
• Too much spicy food and fat rich food should be avoided because it may worsen the condition
• In most of the case hemorrhoid resolves after delivery but if it sustains then medical guidance is required

Hemorrhagic anemia and iron deficiency anemia

• Hemorrhagic anemia generally caused by excessive blood loss though it mainly occurs after delivery but it often occurs during pregnancy as well. In the case of ruptured tubal pregnancy or abortion severe bleeding occurred that may develop hemorrhagic anemia Whereas, iron deficiency anemia is considered as one of the most common type of complications experienced by maximum pregnant women generally caused by consuming a iron deficit diet and it is recognized as the leading cause of increasing rate of maternal morbidity and mortality

Preventive measure

• It is better to consume a diet, which is especially rich in iron, folic acid, Vitamin C and proteins as these nutrients play imperative role in synthesizing hemoglobin and also help in the maturation of RBC
• Diet should contain spinach, amaranth, liver, dates, sprouts, sesame, fish, egg and citrus fruits
• In severe case blood transfusion is necessary

Heartburn

• Pregnant women often experience heartburn, which is a feeling of fullness and it especially develops after consumption of a meal

• Pressure of enlarging uterus is mainly responsible for this discomfort

Preventive measure

• It is better to avoid the consumption of large meal at a time
• Small meal should be taken frequently

Constipation

• It is another complication of pregnancy generally occurred at the later stage of gestational period
• Increased pressure of enlarged uterus is considered as the main cause of developing constipation

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