6 warning signs during pregnancy to look out for

ANI

Life, Health

If you are having contractions more than six times in an hour, this may be a sign of preterm labor.

Women whose placentas are in an abnormal place should report any signs of bleeding during pregnancy. (Photo: Pixabay)

There are certain warning signs in pregnancy that should not be ignored. The sooner problems are diagnosed, the easier it is to treat them appropriately.

Look out for these warning signs if you have complications:

If you are having regular contractions
Occasional contractions are a part of your pregnancy period, especially when you get closer to your due date. Some of these early contractions could be painful but they are not usually regular. If you are having contractions more than six times in an hour, this may be a sign of preterm labor.

If you're bleeding heavily
A small amount of blood discharge is absolutely normal during pregnancy but if you are bleeding as heavily as a menstrual period, or more severe than that then this could be fatal. Women whose placentas are in an abnormal place should report any signs of bleeding during pregnancy because of the increased danger to both mother and baby with these diagnoses.

If you feel a flow of runny fluid
Amniotic fluid in which your baby is wrapped is essential to the health of your baby. If your water breaks too soon, there are risks for both you and your baby. For moms, there is a risk of getting a dangerous infection. For babies, there is a risk of impaired growth and development, preterm birth, and death.

If your blood sugar is too high or too low
Many women are diagnosed with gestational diabetes during pregnancy. It is very important to monitor your blood sugar and use your insulin as prescribed.

Dr. Shobha Gupta of Mother's Lap IVF Centre explained, "There are serious risks during pregnancy for women with all types of diabetes. Gestational diabetes needs to be recognised and treated quickly because it can cause serious health problems for mother and baby.

"If your blood sugar falls outside the expected ranges and your regular at-home instructions aren't helping, talk to your doctor then."

If your baby has stopped moving
If you are less than 28 weeks pregnant, it's likely that your baby's movements are irregular. By 28 weeks, most babies are active enough for their mothers to notice frequent movement in a pattern. Dr. Anubha Singh from Shantah IVF Centre said, "At this stage, notice all the movements of your baby in a pattern and if you notice that your baby is moving less than usual or not at all; immediately call your doctor. You may be given instructions to follow at home, or you may be advised to go to the hospital for monitoring."

If you have abrupt severe abdominal pain
Some abdominal pains in pregnancy are normal from contractions to muscle pain. "If you find yourself in abrupt severe pain, it can be a sign of a uterine rupture which is a medical emergency endangering the life of both you and your baby," said Dr. Shweta Goswami from Jaypee Hospital.

So ladies, watch out for these symptoms and have a hassle-free pregnancy!

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