Problems in pregnancy can at times be more serious than other common but unpleasant symptoms such as morning sickness or piles. Let’s take a look at some of them.

Your blood pressure needs to be constantly checked since high blood pressure can be a sign of preeclampsia. If not treated in time, it can develop into eclampsia which can be life threatening for both mother and child. Hence, be wary of symptoms like headaches, swollen ankles and wrists, visual disturbances and abdominal pain.

Bleeding at any point of time during pregnancy can be a danger signal. In early pregnancy, it can be a sign of miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy, although many women go on to have normal pregnancies. Vaginal infection can also cause a small amount of bleeding. Rarely, bleeding in later pregnancy can be a sign of complications with the placenta.

Itching is common in pregnancy; but if you develop severe itching, accompanied by a rash specifically in the last trimester, get it checked by your doctor. It can be a sign of obstetric cholestasis that affects the liver and can have serious repercussions on the mother and baby.

If you have had a small baby earlier, or if you do smoke heavily, constant monitoring is required to keep tabs on the health of your baby. If it is detected that the baby is not growing well, you may be induced to have labour or advised to go in for a caesarean section. Keep a tab on your child’s movements inside the womb. If you feel it has become less frequent, slowed down or stopped, contact the doctor immediately. Nothing may be seriously wrong, but you need to trust your own judgment and get in touch with the doctor as soon as possible.

During pregnancy, the veins in the leg are most commonly affected. Avoid standing for long periods of time and try not to sit with your legs crossed. Keep close watch on your weight and sit with legs up to ease discomfort. Hormonal changes in the body can cause plaque to make your gums inflamed, swollen and bleed easily. To counter this, clean your teeth and gums carefully. Avoid sugary and fizzy drinks. Go to the dentist for a dental check up.

Stretch marks are pink or purplish lines that appear on the stomach, upper thighs or breasts. After delivery, these gradually fade and become less noticeable. You are more likely to get stretch marks if your weight gain is more than average. Headaches are common in pregnancy. Try to get more rest; paracetamol in recommended small doses is safe but it is better to avoid pain killers of any sort during pregnancy.