Last updated: December 5, 2024

During pregnancy, you may have many questions about your health and potential complications that can occur during pregnancy. You may have underlying health risk factors that can increase the chances of having a health issue during pregnancy. 

Make sure that you consult with your healthcare professional regularly and discuss any risk factors with them. They will monitor you for issues and ensure that your pregnancy is healthy.

Learn more about general pregnancy concerns:

• High-risk pregnancy
• Pregnancy-related problems
• Special health concerns during pregnancy
• Post-term pregnancy

You may experience spotting or light vaginal bleeding during pregnancy. Any bleeding during pregnancy needs to be evaluated by your health care provider. Learn more:

• Vaginal bleeding during pregnancy
• Subchorionic hemorrhage

Miscarriage is a loss of a pregnancy that occurs in the first 20 weeks. It can be difficult to accept the loss of a pregnancy. If you have had a miscarriage, you may need extra care and support. Learn more in this section:

• Miscarriage
• Miscarriage: Should I have treatment to complete a miscarriage?
• Passing tissue during pregnancy
• Antiphospholipid syndrome and pregnancy

You may develop high blood pressure during pregnancy. High blood pressure may have started before pregnancy or very high blood pressure may start in the second or third trimester. Very high blood pressure during pregnancy could decrease the amount of blood and oxygen to your baby which could hinder baby’s growth. Very high blood pressure could cause the placenta to pull away from uterus too soon. 

• High blood pressure during pregnancy
• Bedrest in pregnancy

Pre-eclampsia usually occurs after 20 weeks of pregnancy and can be treated with medication. Learn more:

• Eclampsia (seizures) and pre-eclampsia
• Pre-eclampsia
• Pre-eclampsia: Checkups and monitoring
• Pre-eclampsia: Expectant management
• HELLP syndrome

If your blood sugar level first becomes too high when you are pregnant, you have gestational diabetes. Learn more in this section:

• Gestational diabetes
• Gestational diabetes: Checking your blood sugar              
• Gestational diabetes: Counting carbs     
• Gestational diabetes: Dealing with low blood sugar
• Gestational diabetes: Giving yourself insulin shots           
• Insulin injection areas for gestational diabetes

Ectopic pregnancies are often caused by damage to the fallopian tubes. If you experience pelvic or belly pain, or vaginal bleeding during pregnancy, consult your healthcare professional. Ectopic pregnancies can be dangerous if not treated quickly. Learn more:

• Ectopic pregnancy

A molar pregnancy happens when tissue that normally becomes a fetus instead becomes an abnormal growth in your uterus. Even though it isn't an embryo, this growth triggers symptoms of pregnancy. A molar pregnancy should be treated right away. This will make sure that all of the tissue is removed. This tissue can cause serious problems in some people.

• Molar pregnancy

In this section, learn about the symptoms and causes of reproductive concerns.

• Endometriosis
• Functional ovarian cysts
• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

Some people may experience difficulties with their placentas during pregnancy. This includes having a placenta that blocks the cervix or a placenta which separates from the wall of the uterus. You may also experience problems with the amniotic sac that surrounds your baby. 

• Low-lying placenta versus placenta previa
• Placenta previa
• Placental abruption
• Low amniotic fluid
• Polyhydramnios

Risks increase with the number of babies you carry at a time. If you have a multiple pregnancy, you may be more likely to develop problems such as diabetes, miscarriage or congenital anomalies (birth defects). This does not happen to everyone. Many people have healthy pregnancies and healthy babies. Learn more:

• Multiple pregnancy: Twins or more
• Twin pregnancy types
• Multiple pregnancy: Preterm birth
• Multiple pregnancy: Should I consider a multifetal pregnancy reduction       

• Anemia during pregnancy
• Asthma during pregnancy
• Rh sensitization during pregnancy 
• Intrauterine fetal blood transfusion 
• Toxoplasmosis during pregnancy
• Pregnancy after weight-loss (bariatric) surgery
• Pregnancy: Hot tub and sauna use
• Bedrest for preterm labour
• External cephalic version for breech position

BC Women’s Hospital and Health Centre

BC Women's offers specialized services for women experiencing complications in pregnancy through several clinics:

• Complications in pregnancy
• Pregnancy and prenatal care

Perinatal Services BC

Perinatal Services BC provides leadership, support, and coordination for the strategic planning of perinatal services in British Columbia. See Perinatal Services BC: Frequently asked questions (FAQ) to learn more.

Baby’s Best Chance

Baby’s Best Chance provides easy to read tips on having a healthy pregnancy and giving your baby a good start in life. It also provides you with information on how to take care of your own well-being. Go to Baby’s Best Chance