From mood swings to hormonal stress, pregnancy is a mix of all sorts of different experiences. Although most pregnancies are normal and free of complications, but sometimes this journey of pregnancy can be associated with some medical issues that could make it complicated. Regular checkup and routine tests are done to keep a watch on these complications all throughout your pregnancies.

Here’s a list of some most common pregnancy complications that a mother to be should be aware of:

Miscarriage : is the loss of a pregnancy in the first 20 weeks. Most first-trimester miscarriages are believed to be caused by chromosomal abnormalities in the fertilized egg that keep the embryo from developing. Vaginal spotting or bleeding is usually the first sign, so call your gynecologist right away if you notice it (although it’s not uncommon to spot or bleed in early pregnancy even if you’re not miscarrying). If a miscarriage is suspected, an ultrasound is done to see what’s going on in your uterus and possibly do a blood test.

Premature birth : If you start having regular contractions before you reach 37 weeks of pregnancy, you might be in preterm or premature labor. Before 37 weeks when a baby is delivered, it’s called a preterm birth and the baby is considered premature. Preterm babies can have health problems. And if the delivery happens too early, it can be fatal for the baby. The more mature a baby is at birth, the more likely he is to survive and be healthy.

Preeclampsia : If you have high blood pressure and protein in your urine or liver or kidney abnormalities after 20 weeks of pregnancy, you might be diagnosed with this condition Preclampsia. But most pregnant women who develop mild symptoms of preclampsia and are near their due date, they and their babies do fine with proper care. But severe preeclampsia can affect many organs and cause serious or even life-threatening problems. Women whose preeclampsia is severe or getting worse need to deliver early. It is important to get your blood pressure checked regularly.

Low amniotic fluid : The amniotic sac fills with fluid that protects and supports your developing baby. When there’s too little fluid, the condition is known as oligohydramnios. It can occur at any time during pregnancy, but it is most common during the last trimester. If oligohydramnios is detected in the first half of pregnancy, the complications can be more serious in comparison to later half. If you are close to full term, then delivery is usually what most doctors recommend in situations of low amniotic fluid levels.

Placenta previa : If your placenta is lying unusually low in your uterus, next to or covering your cervix, then is known as placenta previa. It is not usually a problem early in pregnancy. But if the placenta remains dangerously low as your pregnancy progresses, it can cause bleeding, which can lead to other complications and may require you to deliver early. The location of your placenta will be checked during your regular ultrasound tests. Women who have placenta previa when they give birth have to deliver by c-section.

Gestational diabetes : Another serious condition in which blood sugar levels become too high. you can read here for more details here.

PS: Some of the complications may arise due to weight. Check here what should be the ideal weight gain during pregnancy.