Common Symptoms and Complications During Pregnancy

Pregnancy usually proceeds without complications. Nevertheless, certain symptoms and complications often arise along the way—some early on, others toward the end. Here you’ll find the most important ones listed in chronological order. First, the reassuring news: We detect them early during prenatal checkups, treat most of them ourselves, and refer you to a hospital only when necessary.

1. Nausea and Vomiting

Nausea, often accompanied by vomiting, is one of the most common symptoms of early pregnancy—about two out of three women experience it. It usually begins around the 6th week, peaks during the first trimester, and typically subsides by the 12th to 16th week. Eating small, frequent meals, ginger, and avoiding triggers often help; if that’s not enough, there are well-tolerated remedies (vitamin B6 with doxylamine, and other medications if needed). In rare cases, the nausea is so severe that it leads to weight loss and dehydration (hyperemesis gravidarum)—in such cases, we provide targeted treatment, sometimes with IV fluids or a brief hospital stay. The nausea generally does not harm the baby.

2. Iron Deficiency

During the second half of pregnancy, your iron requirements increase significantly because your blood volume expands and the baby is also receiving nutrients. Iron deficiency is therefore common and often manifests as fatigue, paleness, or dizziness. We monitor your iron levels (ferritin and hemoglobin) as part of your prenatal care. Treatment begins with iron tablets; if these are not well tolerated or if the deficiency is severe, an iron infusion provides quick and reliable relief.

3. Gestational Diabetes

Around weeks 24 to 28, gestational diabetes may develop—a temporary condition characterized by elevated blood sugar levels that usually causes no symptoms. We therefore screen for it specifically using an oral glucose tolerance test. It is common and, in the vast majority of cases, easily managed; you can read more on our page → “Gestational Diabetes.”

4. Premature Contractions and Risk of Preterm Birth

A birth is considered premature if it occurs before 37 completed weeks of gestation. Please contact us or the clinic immediately if you experience regular, painful contractions, persistent downward pressure, bleeding, or your water breaking before this time. We’ll measure the length of your cervix via ultrasound; if it’s shortened, progesterone (administered as a vaginal suppository) can reduce the risk. If there is a real risk of preterm birth, we will refer you to a hospital with a neonatal unit—there, labor can often be delayed, and the baby’s lungs can be matured with a targeted injection. Rest assured: Not every contraction is a sign of preterm labor; some mild pulling sensations are normal.

5. Preeclampsia (pregnancy-induced hypertension)

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-related form of high blood pressure that occurs after the 20th week and is accompanied by protein in the urine. Warning signs include severe headaches, visual disturbances (flashing lights, blurred vision), pain in the upper abdomen, and sudden swelling of the face or hands. That is why we measure your blood pressure and test your urine at every prenatal checkup. As early as the first-trimester ultrasound (around weeks 11 to 14), we assess your personal risk of preeclampsia (more on this → “First-Trimester Test and Nuchal Translucency”). If an increased risk is identified, we take preventive measures with low-dose aspirin starting around the 12th week—this significantly reduces the incidence of preeclampsia (ASPRE study). In severe cases, delivery is the only curative treatment; in such cases, we refer you to the hospital.

6. Breech Presentation and External Version

Toward the end of pregnancy, the baby is normally in a head-down position. At the baby’s appointment, about 3 to 4 out of 100 babies are not in this position—they are positioned with their buttocks or feet first (breech presentation). Around the 37th week, we can attempt to gently turn the baby from the outside using our hands (external version); this is successful in about half of the cases, and we will refer you to a hospital for this procedure. If the baby remains in a breech position, we will discuss the delivery options: usually a scheduled cesarean section, and in select cases, a vaginal delivery from a breech position.

When You Should Contact Us Immediately

As varied as these issues may be—most can be effectively managed, and we often detect many of them during checkups before you even notice anything yourself. If you experience warning signs such as severe headaches, vision problems, bleeding, premature contractions, or your water breaking, please contact us immediately. We’ll support you throughout your pregnancy and ensure that you’re in the right place at the right time.