Let’s be honest: A million things can go wrong during a pregnancy, no matter what you do sometimes. It is difficult for expecting mothers to try to prevent the worst thoughts from flooding their minds. But we are only human, and it can’t be helped to think of the worst. While most of the time the little things that seem monumental are benign, there could still be a single moment that might be serious and should be urgently examined.

No matter how careful you are, pregnancy problems may naturally occur at any time. There are only a few things that you can do instead of rushing to the emergency room. Here are nine common pregnancy problems and solutions to consider:

1. Nausea Problems

Being nauseous is expected when you are pregnant; it is called morning sickness for a reason. Unfortunately, some women have a far more severe form of nausea that can linger all day long. Essentially, everything makes you sick, making you not want to eat or drink anything. You just want to snap into a fetal position and wait until you are in labour.

This can cause serious pregnancy problems for your baby because he or she needs all the nutrients it can get, which can only be generated through your diet. There are prescriptions you can take to limit the effects of nausea, but there is no guarantee.

2. Baby’s Activity Levels

It is an incredible feeling for both parents to feel your baby kicking. There is nothing like it, and it is reassuring to the mother to know that your baby is moving because it is a sign of a healthy fetus.

There will be times when your baby is inactive, which will induce panic and concern. It is important to not fret at the beginning because there are things you can do. For instance, eat or drink something and then lay on your side and determine if your child is moving. If not, then perhaps it is time to book an appointment with your medical provider.

3. Prenatal Depression

You have probably heard about postpartum depression, an unwelcoming bout of sadness, misanthropy, disinterest, and even suicidal thoughts. One of the common pregnancy problems is prenatal depression, which is when you are diagnosed with depression during your pregnancy.

The scientific community is beginning to learn that it is becoming more common for women to experience prenatal depression. You experience the same emotions, and it could metastasize into something so serious that you may commit harm to yourself or your baby.

4. Gestational Diabetes

Gestational diabetes happens when a woman, who does not suffer from diabetes, develops high blood sugar levels during pregnancy. It can be difficult to determine if you have contracted gestational diabetes because there are very few symptoms, and the symptoms that are there could be the cause of anything.

There are several risks for you and the child. For you, it could lead to a Caesarean section, pre-eclampsia, and depression. For your baby, it could instill long-term type 2 diabetes, low blood sugar after birth, and jaundice (yellow skin).

5. Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR)

Healthcare providers are starting to see more cases of intrauterine growth restriction, or IUGR. This a medical issue that refers to poor growth of the baby during pregnancy. The causes can consist of anything from an inadequate supply of oxygen to a poor maternal diet (not enough fat, nutrients, and protein). If your physician discovers that the infant is not developing as he or she should, then you may need to have a premature birth.

6. Flu

Every medical provider will recommend that pregnant women get the flu shot, mainly because they are more susceptible to getting sick and enduring serious complications. Why? A weaker immune system.

Whether you get the shot or not, if you do contract the flu, then it is important to not rush to the hospital or your doctor’s office. The primary reason is that you can spread the flu to other pregnant women, and you never want to be the cause of another pregnant woman’s flu. The one and only measure you can employ is to contact your doctor first.

7. Contact Your Physician

Indeed, for the next nine months, you will have regular appointments with your family doctor or an OB/GYN. These medical professionals will check everything out and ensure you are progressing nicely. It is common throughout the entire term to spend more time in doctor’s offices and hospitals than preparing the nursery.

If something does happen or you think something is wrong with your baby, then contact your physician first. He or his registered nurse will know what to do, ask a series of questions, and then suggest the next course of action. So, make a phone call and remain calm.

8. Do Not Panic

Yes, it is only normal to think of the worst things and to enter into panic mode. But while it might be nearly impossible to not become frantic, you need to try to relax and remain calm as much as you can. Stress is terrible for your baby, so if he or she is already ill, then anxiety is not going to help matters.

9. Phone a Hotline of Registered Nurses

Depending on where you live, there are many public hotlines that are manned by health professionals, designed for pregnant women seeking assistance. In Toronto, for example, you can call 1-866-797-0000 (Telehealth ON) for non-emergency medical advice. This can save you time and worry instead of waiting at a hospital or doctor’s office. They will know what to do.

Every woman who has been pregnant before is a hero. There is nothing like going through three trimesters of having another human being growing inside of you. Not only that, you need to ensure you are doing all the right things to ensure that he or she will be born a healthy baby. Yes, mothers are true heroes that should be canonized for eternity!