The vast majority of women have normal, uncomplicated pregnancies and deliveries. Unfortunately, women can experience some complications during pregnancy. Some complications of pregnancy, like gestational diabetes and anemia in pregnancy can easily be prevented if you know how. If you have a preexisting condition, like diabetes, it may be necessary to make some changes to your usual treatment regime, which will help keep you and your baby healthy.

Bleeding during pregnancy, often an early pregnancy complication, can be a sign of trouble. Yet, it is not uncommon for a woman to report that she had her period while she was pregnant. Although it may seem like you are menstruating, there are often other causes for the blood, which are outlined in

Periods During Pregnancy. However, bleeding in the ninth month may signify placenta previa or placental abruption. As for your morning sickness, if it seems far worse than you ever expected it to be, you could be suffering from hyperemesis gravidarum.

All new moms worry about when they will go into labor, but have you thought about what you would do if you went in early labor? Preterm labor, which can be preceded by PROM, will explain the signs of early labor, what you should do if it happens and how you can prevent it. If your doctor suspects that you are at risk of preterm labor, or have been diagnosed with an incompetent cervix, you may be put on bed rest, which isn’t as much fun as it sounds. If you do give birth before term, your baby may be born with a low birthweight, which can cause problems in the future.

Thyroid disease, whether diagnosed prior to pregnancy or during pregnancy, can increase a woman’s likelihood of experiencing complications during pregnancy. A type of thyroid problem, if you have a goiter, getting treatment for it will be affected by your pregnancy. If you suffer from asthma or lupus, appropriate management of your symptoms during pregnancy is necessary to ensure the safety and well-being of your growing child.

A growing concern in many Western countries, particularly the United States, is obesity. Being obese during pregnancy significantly increases a woman’s risk of pregnancy complications as well as increases her child’s risk of health problems. In fact, the US has now classified pregnant obese women as having a high risk pregnancy. Learn what you can do before you get pregnant as well as while you are pregnant to lower your chances of complications.

Another problem for women living in the United States: West Nile Virus. But is this virus really harmful to you and your child? New evidence suggests it might be. Take a look at West Nile Virus and Pregnancy: Are You at Risk? to find out how you can prevent being infected.

Hypertension is an important pregnancy complication to know about because it can lead to preeclampsia, which is even more serious. Make sure you know if you are at risk of developing either of these complications in pregnancy (if you have kidney disease, your chances are increased). You may also want to read up on HELLP syndrome, which is associated with preeclampsia.

Most moms-to-be know how important the amniotic fluid is to their baby. But did you know that it can get too low or be produced too much? Low amniotic fluid and excessive amniotic fluid will help you learn what the signs are and how to treat it if either of these complications with pregnancy occur.

Although most pregnant women will experience some type of odd food cravings, like chocolate dipped in mustard, some will have particularly strange cravings. If you find yourself hankering after dirt, clay, chalk or even hair, then you may be suffering from pica.

While it generally doesn’t cause any complications with a woman’s pregnancy, fibromyalgia can make the usual pregnancy aches exceptionally uncomfortable. Learn more about this chronic illness and how it may affect your pregnancy. Although they can increase the risk of miscarriage and labor problems, women with uterine fiboroids may also find that their fibroids do not interfere greatly with their pregnancy.

Hughes Syndrome is a serious disorder that can cause women to experience miscarriages and other pregnancy complications. However, with proper treatment, women with Hughes Syndrome can have a healthy pregnancy.

In addition, another pregnancy complication that has only recently attracted the attention of the medical community is obstetric cholestasis or intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP). This pregnancy-related liver condition is associated with symptoms of severe itching, and can lead to serious pregnancy complications, including fetal distress and even stillbirth.