Side Effects of Pregnancy (medical)

I was doing some medical research for my mom and came across some articles and links from women discussing childbirth..and saw this list which made me SOOO freaking relieved I wont have to put my body through these experiences...I thought I would share it with you guys since we have this board to bond over such things..lol.

(NB Standard CF Disclaimer: Sorry if it offends anyone, I just had to share..Its a list of actual pregnancy related complaints experienced by all women who choose to procreate:)

Normal, frequent or expectable temporary side effects of pregnancy:

exhaustion (weariness common from first weeks)
altered appetite and senses of taste and smell
nausea and vomiting (50% of women, first trimester)
heartburn and indigestion
constipation
weight gain
dizziness and light-headedness
bloating, swelling, fluid retention
hemmorhoids
abdominal cramps
yeast infections
congested, bloody nose
acne and mild skin disorders
skin discoloration (chloasma, face and abdomen)
mild to severe backache and strain
increased headaches
difficulty sleeping, and discomfort while sleeping
increased urination and incontinence
bleeding gums
pica
breast pain and discharge
swelling of joints, leg cramps, joint pain
difficulty sitting, standing in later pregnancy
inability to take regular medications
shortness of breath
higher blood pressure
hair loss
tendency to anemia
curtailment of ability to participate in some sports and activities
infection including from serious and potentially fatal disease
(pregnant women are immune suppressed compared with non-pregnant women, and are more susceptible to fungal and certain other diseases)
extreme pain on delivery
hormonal mood changes, including normal post-partum depression
continued post-partum exhaustion and recovery period (exacerbated if a c-section -- major surgery -- is required, sometimes taking up to a full year to fully recover)

Normal, expectable, or frequent PERMANENT side effects of pregnancy:

stretch marks (worse in younger women)
loose skin
permanent weight gain or redistribution
abdominal and vaginal muscle weakness
pelvic floor disorder
changes to breasts
varicose veins
scarring from episiotomy or c-section
other permanent aesthetic changes to the body
increased proclivity for hemmorhoids
loss of dental and bone calcium (cavities and osteoporosis)

Occasional complications and side effects:

spousal/partner abuse
hyperemesis gravidarum
temporary and permanent injury to back
severe scarring requiring later surgery
dropped (prolapsed) uterus
pre-eclampsia (associated with eclampsia, and affecting 7 - 10% of pregnancies)
eclampsia (high risk of death)
gestational diabetes
placenta previa
anemia (which can be life-threatening)
thrombocytopenic purpura
severe cramping
embolism (blood clots)
medical disability requiring full bed rest
diastasis recti, also torn abdominal muscles
mitral valve stenosis (most common cardiac complication)
serious infection and disease (e.g. increased risk of tuberculosis)
hormonal imbalance
ectopic pregnancy (risk of death)
broken bones (ribcage, "tail bone")
hemorrhage and
numerous other complications of delivery
refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease
aggravation of pre-pregnancy diseases and conditions
severe post-partum depression and psychosis

Message edited 9/14/2011 4:03:08 PM.

Re: Side Effects of Pregnancy (medical)

scary thing is this list is nothing compared to some package inserts (those are the little folded up white sheets that come with your prescription) that come with prescription and OTC drugs!

Re: Side Effects of Pregnancy (medical)

the biggest side effect: having an actual baby to care for

Re: Side Effects of Pregnancy (medical)

Re: Side Effects of Pregnancy (medical)

I'd like to add this: when i was in college, one of my courses was child development, from conception. Pregnancy was outlined in horrific detail, including the fact that your stomach is pushed very high up into the ribcage. That thought (plus the word 'episiotomy') makes me want to wretch.

Additionally, in my line of work i've had occasion to be called to the maternity floor for women who have such severe back pain and malaligned pelvic bones after childbirth they can't even walk to the bathroom without a walker! And also can't hold the baby either due to the back pain.

Re: Side Effects of Pregnancy (medical)

Re: Side Effects of Pregnancy (medical)

Re: Side Effects of Pregnancy (medical)

Posted by Lisa

Posted by Kazuri

Posted by DirtyBlonde

the biggest side effect: having an actual baby to care for

For the next 25 years.

25???

My parents said after college (21) I was OUT!!

Re: Side Effects of Pregnancy (medical)

Re: Side Effects of Pregnancy (medical)