There are reasons why there is there is a lot of emphasis on Women's Health when it comes to medicine.

One of those reasons is because women have a uterus, which effects their health throughout most of life, from their menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause - All of which, can have their own complications.

In regards to pregnancy - while a beautiful thing, can have complications as well, because carrying a baby to term isn't as easy as you might think. Everything has to run smoothly, such as managing your nutrition, weight, and blood sugars, in order to birth a healthy human after 9 months.

So, for those 9 months, what are the things you want to look out for, which might indicate a major complication?

Placental Abruption aka Abruptio Placentae:

• Pregnancy in late third trimester
• Sudden onset of dark-red vaginal bleeding
• Painful, solid/hard uterus
• Risk for severe bleeding or hemorrhage
• Treatment is immediate delivery
• Seen more in women with a history of high blood pressure and/or drug abuse

Placenta Previa:

• Typically seen in women who have had multiple pregnancies, and is in the 2nd or 3rd trimester
• New onset, painless, bright red vaginal bleeding
• Soft and painless uterus
• Treatment is bedrest
• If there is uterine cramping, then IV magnesium sulfate is administered
• Vaginal or rectal invasive assessment is NOT appropriate
• If cervix is too dilated or there is severe bleeding, then deliver baby immediately

Preeclampsia:

• Typically seen in women in their first pregnancy, in the third trimester
• Sudden onset of severe headaches and vision changes
• Swelling seen around the face and fingers
• Right upper abdominal pain
• Blood pressure sustained above 140/90 mmHg
• Protein in urine and low urine output
• Look out for nausea and vomiting, as this may indicate swelling of the brain
• Can lead to ECLAMPSIA, which is where the patient will have seizures
• Treatment is immediate delivery of the baby

HELLP Syndrome (Hemolysis, Elevated Liver Enzymes, and Low Platelets):

• Typically seen in women with a history of multiple pregnancies, older than 25 years of age, and in their third trimester
• Signs and symptoms of Preeclampsia (refer to above)
• Right upper abdominal pain
• Nausea, vomiting, and bodyaches
• Labs demonstrate elevated liver enzymes, bilirubin, lactate dehydrogenase, and low platelets and hemoglobin/hematocrit.

While you can't prevent all complications, you can educate yourself on the signs and symptoms to look out for during pregnancy.