Complication during Third Trimester of Pregnancy

The article provides information about different types of medical and obstetric problems that could arise during third trimester of pregnancy. The causes of these problems are also described.Karen is very alert about her health as she has entered into the 29th week of her pregnancy. Karen did not face any kind of health problem during her pregnancy till now. She wants to know about various kinds of complications pregnant women may have during their third trimester so that she could seek quick medical intervention whenever needed. In this articleWhat are the Complications during Third Trimester of Pregnancy?Gestational Diabetes during Third Trimester of PregnancyPreeclampsia During third Trimester of PregnancyProblems with the Placenta during Third Trimester of PregnancyPreterm Labour during Third Trimester of PregnancyWhat are the Complications during Third Trimester of Pregnancy?Third trimester of pregnancy starts from 28th week till the delivery. During this period, certain medical problems and pregnancy related problems may develop. If detected early and treated in time, it is possible to manage these problems. Here are some of the complications that may occur during the third trimester of pregnancy.Gestational Diabetes during Third Trimester of PregnancyDue to hormonal changes during pregnancy, body of pregnant woman could not use insulin effectively. This leads to high level of sugar in blood. Most of the pregnant women who have gestational diabetes do not show any symptoms but it can cause problems for the foetus. It could lead to excessive growth of foetus or macrosomia and may cause injuries during birth.Gestational diabetes also increases the chances of caesarean delivery. It can also cause post delivery bleeding and problems like preeclampsia. It is important that all pregnant women have blood tests after consulting their obstetrician when they are into their third trimester so that gestational diabetes can be identified and medicines can be given accordingly. Strict diet plan, frequent blood glucose monitoring and well-controlled life style have to be followed by pregnant women to control gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes gets resolved automatically in most of the women during their postpartum period.Preeclampsia During third Trimester of PregnancyAbout 10 – 15% of pregnant women undergo through a condition called preeclampsia. When pregnant women have high blood pressure, have protein in their urine and their face and hands get swollen and all these are happening after 20th week of pregnancy, the condition is called Preeclampsia. It is condition that is common during first pregnancy.Preeclampsia is common in pregnant teenagers and also in pregnant women who are more than 35 years old. The symptoms are rapid swelling in legs, hands and feet, loss of vision, easy bruising, pain in the stomach area etc. Preeclampsia gets resolved immediately after the childbirth in most of the new moms. Only a few need to continue with their medicines for high blood pressure.Problems with the Placenta during Third Trimester of PregnancyBleeding may occur during the third trimester of pregnancy. Pregnant women must immediately report to their obstetrician if bleeding takes place. If bleeding happens due to labour than there is nothing to worry. In some, bleeding during last trimester happens due to abruption and previa of placenta. When placenta gets abnormally implanted on the cervical opening, it is called Placenta Previa. The exact cause of this complication is not known but those who had undergone any kind of uterine surgery, have large placenta or are heavy smokers may experience such complication during their pregnancy.The symptoms of Placenta Previa are sudden, heavy, bright red and painless bleeding from vagina. It happens after 28th week of pregnancy period and increases the risks of bleeding before and during child birth. Placental abruption can also happen where placenta gets separated from the uterus before labour. This complication can cause death of the foetus.Preterm Labour during Third Trimester of PregnancyWhen labour happens before 37th week of pregnancy period it is called preterm. This could happen in would-be moms with excess amniotic fluid, multiple babies, and infection of amniotic sac. Low back pain, vaginal discharge, diarrhoea, vaginal bleeding are the symptoms of preterm labour. Infants who are born preterm need special medical care as they have high risks of lung problems.As third trimester of pregnancy is very crucial, would-be moms must take special care of their health during this period. Immediate medical intervention would definitely help would-be moms to have safe pregnancy during these last days of pregnancy. That is why it is important for would-be-moms to know about probable complications that could occur during the third trimester of pregnancy.