Pregnancy

Demographics and Statistics

• In 2012, there were about 213 million pregnancies worldwide, with 89% occurring in the developing world.
• The number of pregnancies in women aged 15-44 is 133 per 1,000 women.
• Approximately 10-15% of recognized pregnancies end in miscarriage.
• Complications of pregnancy resulted in 230,600 maternal deaths in 2016, down from 377,000 deaths in 1990.
• Globally, 44% of pregnancies are unplanned.

Signs and Symptoms

• Tiredness is a common sign of pregnancy.
• Morning sickness, characterized by nausea and vomiting, is another common symptom.
• Constipation is frequently experienced during pregnancy.
• Pelvic girdle pain and back pain are common discomforts.
• Braxton Hicks contractions, occasional and painless contractions, occur several times per day.

Pregnancy Stages and Milestones

• Pregnancy is divided into three trimesters, each approximately three months long.
• The first trimester includes conception and the formation of the embryo and placenta.
• Movement of the fetus may be felt around the middle of the second trimester.
• At 28 weeks, more than 90% of babies can survive outside of the uterus with medical care.
• Babies born before 37 weeks are considered preterm and at higher risk of health problems.

Prenatal Care and Complications

• Prenatal care improves pregnancy outcomes.
• Nutrition during pregnancy is important for the healthy growth of the fetus.
• Prenatal care may include avoiding recreational drugs, regular exercise, blood tests, and physical examinations.
• Complications of pregnancy can include high blood pressure disorders, gestational diabetes, anemia, and severe nausea and vomiting.
• Labor induction or caesarean section before 39 weeks is not recommended unless medically necessary.

Terminology and Definitions

• Gravida refers to the number of times a woman has been pregnant.
• Nulligravida refers to a woman who has never been pregnant.
• Primigravida refers to a woman pregnant for the first time.
• Multigravida or multiparous refers to a woman in subsequent pregnancies.
• Term pregnancy is considered at 37 weeks of gestation, while preterm is before 37 weeks and post-term is beyond 42 weeks.

Pregnancy Data Sources