Pregnancy Abnormalities

Although a pregnancy free from complications is always the goal, sometimes abnormalities occur that require extra special care. Dr Orji has a unique interest in high-risk obstetrics and gynaecology and has trained to work with complex issues, making him fully equipped to assist you should any complications arise during your pregnancy.

During each trimester, Dr Orji will perform screenings for any problems you or your baby may face.

First trimester: During weeks 11 to 13 of pregnancy, Dr Orji conducts a blood test and ultrasound to check for congenital disabilities in your baby.

Second trimester: The second trimester allows us to better understand your baby's growth and any abnormalities. Between weeks 15 and 20, Dr Orji performs a blood test, fetal echocardiogram and ultrasound. These screenings check for congenital disabilities, heart issues and risks associated with birth.

Should the screenings show an abnormal result, Dr Orji will provide diagnostic tests that help to determine the cause.

  • Advanced ultrasound: Reveals any congenital disabilities
  • Chorionic villus sampling (CVS): Uses a piece of the placenta to check for chromosomal abnormalities
  • Amniocentesis: The protein levels in the amniotic fluid are assessed

High-risk Pregnancy

Pregnancies are considered high-risk when there are pre-existing conditions that can create health issues for you or your baby. These pregnancies require unique care, in which Dr Orji is highly skilled.

Certain risks may only arise during pregnancy and are out of your control, such as preeclampsia, but most pre-existing conditions can be caught early and dealt with to ensure a healthy pregnancy and birth. Dr Orji will discuss your medical history during your initial visit to determine any pre-existing conditions so that he knows any complications beforehand.

Hypertension & preeclampsia

It is common for women to develop high blood pressure while pregnant, known as preeclampsia or gestational hypertension. In most cases, preeclampsia goes away after birth, but women are at a higher risk of developing chronic hypertension. In addition, those with existing high blood pressure are also at risk for preeclampsia.

Signs of preeclampsia include:

  • Constant headaches
  • Abdominal pain
  • Blurry vision
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Severe morning sickness

Preeclampsia puts you and your baby at risk of health issues after birth. High blood pressure limits the oxygen your baby receives, meaning you may require induced labour, or your baby could be born prematurely. Dr Orji will monitor your heart rate at each visit to assess your risk of preeclampsia. Should you get preeclampsia, Dr Orji will quickly establish a treatment plan to manage the condition and ensure your and your baby's safety.

Gestational diabetes

Changes in hormonal levels during pregnancy can influence the onset of certain conditions, such as gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes is diabetes that occurs in women during pregnancy and influences how their bodies process sugar. Women with pre-existing diabetes are also at risk for gestational diabetes.

When caught early, gestational diabetes can be managed effectively and add little risk. However, if left untreated, gestational diabetes can cause complications for your baby later on, such as premature birth, breathing difficulties and low blood sugar levels.

Unfortunately, there are few signs of gestational diabetes, except for increased thirst and frequent urination. So it's vital that you stick to your antenatal visits and confide in Dr Orji if you are experiencing anything out of the ordinary. He will also continually monitor your health and perform screenings should the need arise.

Other ways you can maintain your health during pregnancy are:

  • Healthy eating
  • Regular exercise
  • Maintaining a healthy weight throughout pregnancy
Miscarriage

Pregnancy loss is extremely common, but this doesn't make it any easier to experience. Miscarriage is a spontaneous pregnancy loss and generally occurs before week 20. Many women experience miscarriage early on and aren't even aware. However, it is devastating for those planning to conceive, but it's important to know that it's never your fault.

Miscarriages occur because the development of the fetus is abnormal; for example, there are chromosome issues. In some cases, pre-existing conditions can also contribute to miscarriages.

Due to pregnancy loss being so common, it's not always a cause for concern when trying to conceive. However, if you are consistently experiencing miscarriages when falling pregnant, it's a sign to see a specialist.

Dr Orji has extensive experience in infertility and pregnancy loss and can help determine the underlying cause, as well as provide treatment to achieve a normal pregnancy. If you have suffered a miscarriage, Dr Orji will run several tests to determine the underlying cause and prescribe a treatment plan.