There are a few things that could go wrong while you’re pregnant. We take a look at the rare conditions you might experience during your pregnancy.
MOLAR PREGNANCY
A molar pregnancy is an unusual condition, which happens when there is a problem with fertilisation. On a normal pregnancy, an embryo gets half of chromosomes from the mother’s egg and half from the father’s sperm. In a molar pregnancy, the wrong combination of chromosomes comes together. Unfortunately you won’t be able to continue with your pregnancy should this happen.
Symptoms
First sign to worry will be bleeding. You may also have severe nausea and vomiting and your belly may swell up. You may develop high blood pressure, an overactive thyroid or abdominal pain. See your doctor if this happens
Treatment
If you have a molar pregnancy, you may need a minor operation called a dilatation and curettage (D&C). Your doctor will widen your cervix and remove the tissues from your uterus. An instrument called a curette will then be used to take remaining molar tissues from your uterus wall. Your doctor may give you medicine to enable your body to shed the tissues by itself.
When can I try to get pregnant again?
Having a molar pregnancy doesn’t affect your chances of having a normal pregnancy next time. But it is important to wait until your doctor says you can start trying again.
POLYHYDRAMNIOS
Polyhydramnios means you have too much amniotic fluid in your womb. Most cases of polyhydramnios are mild or moderate. The extra fluid could be due to a problem with your baby, the placenta, or with your own health. The cause of this is unknown.
Symptoms
You may notice that your tummy is getting large and feeling tense, and that your skin is stretched and shiny. You might feel uncomfortable and breathless and find it hard to do things like climbing stairs.
Treatment
Treatment depends on the severity of your condition. In mild cases, your condition is likely to get better on its own as your pregnancy progresses. Your doctor and midwife will advise you to rest as much as possible, which may mean starting your maternity leave early.
What will happen when it comes to the birth?
In most cases, labour is usually normal. However, the weight of your baby and the extra fluid may cause you to give birth early.
OBSTETRIC CHOLESTASIS
Obstetric cholestasis (OC) is a rare pregnancy condition that affects your liver and makes you feel itchy, sometimes intensely so. The cause of OC is unknown
Symptoms
The main symptom of OC is itching; it’s often the palms of your hands and the soles of your feet that get itchy. The itching can be intense and worse at night. You won’t get any rash though, but be careful not to scratch too hard that your skin breaks. A few women with OC also get jaundice.
Treatment
The only cure for OC is giving birth, so the best your doctor can do is help you to cope with the symptoms. Your doctor may give you creams and possibly tablets to help with the itching.
After birth
Unfortunately, there is a high chance that OC could happen again in future pregnancies.
MACROSOMIA (BIG BABY)
An average new-born weighs about 3.4kg. Babies weighing more than 4 kg at birth are considered macrosomic. The causes for macrosomic usually are generic (If you were a big baby chances are you’ll have a big baby). High blood sugar can also be the cause.
Symptoms
It’s very difficult to determine whether your baby is truly macrosomic while you’re still pregnant. Only his post-birth weight can confirm. Your midwife or GP may suspect your baby will be big if you’re measuring large for dates. An ultrasound scan can give an idea of how big your baby really is. (Keep in mind this is not always accurate).
Treatment
There is no treatment for this but if your midwife suspects you have a large baby and recommends a caesarean over vaginal birth. You’ll need to decide what you’re most comfortable with.
How will having a large baby affect the birth?
Giving birth to a big baby can be difficult. You may experience perineal tearing, blood loss or damage to your tailbone. There’s also a small chance your baby may experience shoulder dystocia (this is when your baby’s shoulders become stuck after you’ve pushed his head out). It’s a rare but very serious situation that needs immediate attention.
HYPEREMESIS GRAVIDARUM
Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) means excessive vomiting in pregnancy. HG is not a common pregnancy condition bur it happens. Moms – to – be with HG struggle to keep anything down, even their own saliva. The cause is unknown.
Symptoms
HG usually begins at between four weeks and seven weeks, easing off at between 14 weeks and 16 weeks of your pregnancy. Some symptoms include vomiting several times a day, if are unable to eat and drink without vomiting, and are losing a lot weight.
Treatment
Mild cases are treated with dietary changes, rest and antacids. More severe cases often require a stay in the hospital so that the mother can receive fluids and nutrition
Will HG harm my baby?
Though HG makes you feel awful, if it’s treated, it’s very unlikely that your baby will be harmed. If you lose weight during your pregnancy, there’s an increased risk that your baby may be smaller than average at birth. But it’s unlikely that your baby will be affected in this way.
