Headaches? Your Doctor Can Help You More Than You Think

2 High-Risk Pregnancy Symptoms

Being pregnant is a beautiful and exciting time of life. Many women look forward to the day when they will be able to carry a child and experience the miracle of childbirth. However, just because it is a life changing and incredible process doesn't mean that it doesn't have its risks. This is why it is important that every woman understand some of the risks of a pregnancy so that she can detect early warning signs and talk to a medical professional right away. Here are some things to look for.

1. Abnormal Swelling

It is normal to get a little swollen in your legs and feet when you are pregnant. However, it is not normal to swell excessively or all over your body. If you are retaining water so badly that your whole body is swollen, you might have a condition called preeclampsia. Preeclampsia is a very serious condition if it is not properly cared for. After the baby is born the mother has toxins in her blood and system that can develop into eclampsia. This is where the mother can have multiple seizures, and it can even result in death.

If doctors detect protein in the urine, then they will take the woman as a high-risk patient and might even induce the baby early so that the condition doesn't become fatal.

2. Abnormal Itching

When you are pregnant, your skin will begin to stretch, which will cause you to feel itchy around your stomach, back and any area of the body that has stretched skin. This is normal and generally isn't any reason for concern. However, intense itching on the palms of the hands and feet, the head, legs and the whole body is a sign of a liver problem. This means that the mother's liver is malfunctioning, leading to too much bile in the system. Although the mother will return to normal after the delivery, it is very dangerous for the baby.

In fact, this condition, called choleostasis, can cause the baby to self-abort and be stillborn. This usually happens in the third trimester, which means you can have a totally healthy baby until the last couple weeks of pregnancy. Doctors will generally induce you early if you have this condition to protect the baby.

These are two symptoms that you should watch out for to make sure that you and your baby are healthy. Work with a clinic like The Woman's Center OB-GYN Associates to ensure you have a healthy and safe delivery. 


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