10 Unusual Pregnancy Complications All Women Should Know About

7. Gestational Diabetes

Only around 9% of pregnant women experience gestational diabetes, which happens when blood glucose levels during pregnancy of a woman with no history of diabetes goes up, although women with diabetes may have greater chances of getting this complication.

Women who are diagnosed with GD will have to work with a dietician to keep their blood sugar levels stable.

High blood sugar levels among pregnant women may put her baby at risk of having high glucose levels as well and growing too big.

However, this complication can be treated with diet and exercise alone.

8. Preeclampsia

For pregnant women who have normal blood pressure, a spike in their BP while pregnant is a concern, as this can be considered preeclampsia. It happens on or after the 37th week, some during or after delivery, while some experience it at only 20 weeks. It affects only around 5% of pregnant women.

Its symptoms also include swelling of the hands and feet, protein in the mother’s urine and headaches.

Its treatment includes close monitoring for mums with a milder case, while some may be admitted to the hospital to make sure the symptoms don’t worsen.

This complication usually subsides and the blood pressure returns to normal after delivery, but if it persists, the mum must be monitored closely and may be given blood pressure medication after the birth.

9. Maternal Heart Disease

This is one of the main causes of maternal deaths, especially to mothers with undiagnosed heart disease, and happens to at least 1% of pregnancies.

During pregnancy, the heart pumps 50% more blood, which means it is put under extra strain, so pregnant mums must always check their heart health.

Some risk factors for maternal heart disease or heart attack include obesity, mothers older than 30 and previous heart problems.

10. Blood Clots

This is extremely rare in a pregnancy and happens to about 1 or 2 in every 1,000 pregnancies. Blood clots are ‘coagulated blood’ in the body which can complicate the pregnancy and result to stroke, heart attack or pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lungs) if left untreated.

Its symptoms include swelling or pain in one leg or pain that worsens while walking. Anti-coagulation medicine will be given to a sufferer to help thin the blood and get rid of the clot.

The risk of developing blood clots increases slightly in pregnant women and usually occur in the legs or pelvic region.

Treatment includes exercising and eating healthy.

How was your pregnancy? Did you experience any of these complications?

If you become concerned about any symptoms please seek immediate medical attention..

we have some hotlines and suggested websites for further information and advice.

SAHM takes no responsibility for any illness, injury or death caused by misuse of this information. All information provided is correct at time of publication.

Clare Whitfield Chief Editor

Clare Whitfield is the Editor of Stay at Home Mum and a recognised voice in practical home management for Australian families. Based in the northern suburbs of Sydney, she balances editorial leadership with life as a stay at home mum to two school age children. Her background in home economics and more than a decade of experience in recipe development, family budgeting, and household systems inform her work.

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