MAJOR CONCERNS DURING PREGNANCY

Warning signs

If you experience any of these symptoms, contact Origins immediately on 630 8270. If the situation is very urgent, call an ambulance.

• Abdominal pain, cramps or painful contractions before your baby is due.
• Contractions associated with vaginal discharge.
• Low down pelvic pressure or backache that comes and goes before you are 36 weeks pregnant.
• Waters leaking.
• Any vaginal bleeding.
• A noticeable decrease in baby movements.
• Puffiness in your face.
• Feeling hot and unwell.
• Headaches or blurred vision.
• Pain when passing urine, or offensive smelling urine.
• Any other concerns about your pregnancy.

Threatened miscarriage

Miscarriage is the loss of a pregnancy before 20 weeks. Almost one in five pregnancies will miscarry. Most miscarriages occur within the first 12 weeks. The most common cause of early miscarriage is foetal chromosomal abnormality. These abnormalities occur around the time of fertilisation and usually do not indicate a problem with either of the parents. Miscarriages that occur after 12 weeks can be caused by a physical problem with the uterus or cervix or an infection, such as listeria (listeria is covered as a separate topic).

Types of bleeding during pregnancy:

• If the bleeding is fresh, painless and lighter than a period, it is likely that your pregnancy is healthy and will continue. Contact Origins for an ultrasound to confirm that everything is OK.
• If the bleeding is heavier than a period and associated with crampy abdominal pain, it is likely you will miscarry. Please contact Origins.
• If the bleeding is old, brown blood and painless, the situation is less certain. Please contact Origins.

Listeria

Listeria is a common bacteria found in soil, water, plants and faeces. Most people are exposed to Listeria on a regular basis, with no ill effects. However, listeriosis can cause pregnant women to have a miscarriage, pre-term labour or stillbirth.

How to avoid listeria:

• Don't eat unpasteurised dairy products and paté.
• Avoid pre-prepared refrigerated foods, especially those containing meat, poultry, dairy products or raw vegetables.
• Wash fruit and raw vegetables thoroughly.
• Cook all meat, poultry, fish and seafood thoroughly.

Toxoplasmosis

Toxoplasmosis is a common disease that can be caught from raw or undercooked meat and cat faeces. For an unborn baby, it can cause blindness, deafness, mental retardation or even death. Toxoplasmosis is difficult to diagnose and treat, so prevention is the best course of action.

How to avoid toxoplasmosis:

• Always wash your hands thoroughly after handling raw meat or wear gloves.
• Eat only well-cooked meat.
• Wear gloves while gardening. Wash your hands carefully afterwards.
• Wash fruit and vegetables, especially if they come from a home garden.
• Avoid getting a kitten if you are pregnant.
• Get someone else to change the cat's litter box.