It is important to be aware of and watch for problems so they can be found early and have less of an effect on the pregnancy. In early pregnancy, the most common problems are miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy. Signs and symptoms of miscarriage include heavy bleeding, that may contain clots or clumps of tissue, severe cramping, prolonged blood flow and fever. Most miscarriages are caused by abnormal development of the fetus, the placenta, uterine lining or by infection. A couple having more than two miscarriages should seek medical advice before trying to conceive again.
Ectopic pregnancy occurs when the fertilized egg has attached itself outside of the uterus.
The main sign of ectopic pregnancy is the rapid onset of intense or persistent pain or cramping on one side of the lower abdomen. A common place for ectopic pregnancies is in the tubes that carry the egg from the ovary to the uterus. If these tubes called the fallopian tubes are partially blocked, the fertilized egg can become stuck inside. With ectopic pregnancy, there may be irregular bleeding or spotting, a missed or abnormally light period and fainting or dizziness lasting longer than a few seconds. If an ectopic pregnancy is left untreated, it could rupture the fallopian tube, causing internal bleeding and possibly death.