A Look into Disease-Complicated Pregnancies

Every pregnancy is a happy period in the life of a woman. It is a time when the fulfillment of her role as the giver of life to this world is realized. It is a time when her body is transformed from a slim and shapely figure to a bulging one laden with life. Yet there is no reason to complain on purely aesthetic grounds, because as they say, a woman is at her most beautiful when she is pregnant. Such are the rosy and amorous tags we often attach to pregnancy.

However, there are instances when a pregnancy period is made less joyous and a more nervous situation. This happens when the pregnancy period is marked by diseases and ailments that put to the line the health and life of both the woman and the baby.

Diseases That Can Complicate Pregnancy

While it is a must that a woman must maintain her health in top condition when planning to be pregnant or during pregnancy, there are instances when the body's system inexplicably fail, which puts everything on the line. On the other hand, a woman may have an existing disease that becomes severe during pregnancy. The following are the common diseases that may come during pregnancy:

a) Diabetes. Diabetes is a dangerous disease for a woman especially when pregnant. This is because one has to carefully and strictly monitor one's food intake so as not to raise one's blood sugar to a level where it becomes dangerous and poses possible complications. On the other hand, one also has risks of internal bleeding during pregnancy and even the smallest cuts or wound can pose a risk.

b) Asthma. Asthma attacks are caused by various triggers. Some are due to stress, pollutants, or to plant pollens and sprayed cosmetic products. During pregnancy, an asthma attack is not only dangerous, it is also deadly.

Complications That May Arise During Pregnancy

a) Varicose veins. Varicose veins appear when there is an increased intravascular pressure on the legs. As a result, the veins become more visible. However, this is not the main concern with the condition. It is the fact that during varicose veins, one's legs needs to be rested every so often, thereby preventing a pregnant mother from going about her chores.

b) Slow healing of wounds or cuts. This is a complication and manifestation of diabetes. This is especially harmful during pregnancy because the slow healing of wounds and cuts are invitations for possible infection. On the other hand, given the fragile condition of pregnancy, one cannot just pop any medication to heal the wound.

Edema is another common complication of disease-laden pregnancy. This happens when there is an increased hydrostatic pressure in the lower extremities, especially in the area surrounding one's heels.

Another complication of pregnancy is dehydration. While this may also happen to non-pregnant women, this is even more possible during pregnancy because of the expansion of the intravascular space. Nonetheless, there is really no need to fuss about it because a simple increase in the intake of fluids can treat the condition. However, one must make sure to stay away from it to avoid other complications during pregnancy.