Pregnancy requires attention from the beginning. Before 12 weeks of gestation, the risk of spontaneous miscarriage is quite high. Therefore, the woman should avoid activities such as lifting heavy objects and falling. It is necessary for the woman to pay attention to severe pain in the abdominal area. If there is severe pain, she should see a doctor and have tests done to rule out the presence of an ectopic pregnancy or one in the fallopian tubes. If this problem in pregnancy is detected, the baby should be removed as soon as possible to preserve the affected tube. If that is not possible, the doctor will remove the tube with the baby that implanted in the wrong place.

But not all pregnancy problems are serious. Some are expected, for example pain starting at the stage when the belly begins to grow significantly. At this stage, the woman may start feeling the common discomforts in the back, legs, abdomen, belly button, and even headaches. Most of these pains are due to changes that pregnancy itself causes. For example, abdominal discomfort happens due to the loosening of the abdominal muscles to accommodate the pregnant belly as pregnancy advances. Groin pain is common in the third trimester. The baby’s movements, along with its weight, cause this discomfort. But these are harmless situations for mom and baby that subside soon after birth. It is also possible for the pregnant woman to feel severe pain, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, which is an extension of the abdominal pain that affects the ligaments of the arms and wrists.

Some women may also have other problems in pregnancy, including placenta previa, which brings another issue with it: bleeding. If the placenta is not previa and the woman continues to have bleeding, she needs to see her obstetrician or go to the maternity hospital as soon as possible. Bleeding in pregnancy, especially in the early stage, is a maximum warning sign! Varicose veins and swelling are recurring problems during pregnancy. The doctor will investigate the cause and, if necessary, prescribe medication or stockings to help with blood vessel compression. A basic tip is, whenever the woman can, to lie down with her feet elevated for breaks of 10 to 20 minutes.

Since pregnant women have lowered immunity at this stage of life, they are subject to a higher incidence of infections such as flu, colds, sore throats, tonsillitis, and other infectious diseases. These are often caught and spread through the air. Eating well and maintaining a regular exercise routine should help reduce the risk of catching these infections during pregnancy. If pus appears in the throat or if the condition worsens, the doctor will prescribe appropriate antibiotics.

Also due to low immunity, candidiasis can become a problem during pregnancy. It appears suddenly and causes burning, itching, and an excess of mucus due to the proliferation of bacteria from the vaginal flora itself. Treatment is based on gynecological creams and specific medication for pregnant women. Urinary tract infection is also a recurring problem. Pregnant women are more likely to have cystitis attacks and must be monitored frequently. At any sign of change, the doctor should begin treatment. Urinary tract infection during pregnancy brings long-term risk for mother and baby.

Other problems that can also appear during pregnancy are emotional in nature. Being pregnant in adolescence is a challenging situation for the new parents and the whole family and requires extra attention. Depression is a difficult occurrence. The woman may feel sad for no apparent reason and have no desire to prepare for the baby’s arrival. In these cases, a psychologist should be consulted, and together with the obstetrician, they will indicate the best treatment during this delicate stage of life.

Photos: Becca, zero