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Pregnancy is magical, miraculous, and all the things, but it can also be really scary, especially when complications come into play. As someone who’s been through preterm labor, bed rest, and a postpartum hemorrhage (and lived to write the article), and whose co-founder Abby nearly died from preeclampsia while pregnant with her twins, I want to talk about the stuff we don’t always post about.
Because here’s the thing: complications don’t mean you’re failing at pregnancy — they mean your body is doing its best in less-than-ideal circumstances. And you deserve to be informed, supported, and empowered every step of the way.
So here are the top 10 things I want my pregnant bestie (that’s you!) to know about pregnancy complications:
1. Complications are common, and they don’t mean you did anything wrong
It’s easy to feel like you somehow “caused” a complication. But the truth is, roughly 1 in 5 pregnancies involve complications, and it has nothing to do with how many prenatal vitamins you took or whether you had sushi once. Complications like gestational diabetes, placenta previa, incompetent cervix, HELLP syndrome, preterm labor, or preeclampsia are real, they’re serious, and they’re not your fault.
You can do everything “right” and still have something unexpected come up during pregnancy. That doesn’t make you a bad mom. It makes you a human being.
2. Preeclampsia is sneaky — and extremely dangerous
Preeclampsia affects 1 in 12 pregnancies and can lead to high blood pressure, organ damage, seizures, and preterm birth. It’s one of the leading causes of NICU stays and long-term health issues for moms and babies. It can strike without warning. And in Abby’s case, it nearly cost her life. What makes it even trickier is that it’s too late to prevent the onset once symptoms appear, and that’s a huge part of the problem.
3. Preterm labor is more common than you think (and it’s terrifying)
Around 10% of babies in the U.S. are born prematurely (before 37 weeks). Sometimes it’s spontaneous, sometimes it’s because of complications like infections, cervical insufficiency, or placental issues. In my case, it was due to a twin pregnancy, and meant hospital bed rest, daily monitoring, and a constant state of “what-if.”
It’s not just about being born “a little early.” Prematurity can lead to breathing issues, feeding challenges, and long-term developmental delays. And even if things turn out okay (thankfully, they often do), the emotional toll on parents can be huge.
4. Placenta complications are no joke
Your placenta is your baby’s lifeline — and when it’s not doing well, it can be serious. Placenta previa (where the placenta covers the cervix), placental abruption (where it detaches too early), and placenta accreta (when it grows into the uterine wall) can all lead to bleeding, early delivery, and life-threatening emergencies.
These conditions aren’t always predictable, which is why regular ultrasounds and prenatal care matter so much.
5. Gestational diabetes isn’t “just a sugar issue”
Yes, it’s manageable. But gestational diabetes can increase the risk of macrosomia (a very large baby), shoulder dystocia during delivery, preeclampsia, and future Type 2 diabetes for the parent. You didn’t cause it by eating too many sweets; it has more to do with how your body handles insulin during pregnancy. And like so many complications, early detection makes a big difference.
6. There are proactive tools to help you understand your risks
For too long, the standard approach to pregnancy conditions like preeclampsia has been reactive. We check blood pressure, look for protein in the urine, and cross our fingers. But by the time those signs show up, preeclampsia has already developed. It's like looking for smoke after the fire has started.
Thankfully, new tools like Encompass™ by Mirvie let you predict your personal risk for preeclampsia months before symptoms appear. It’s a simple at-home blood test you take between 18–22 weeks, and it uses groundbreaking RNA science to analyze thousands of signals from you, your baby, and the placenta.
Think: next-gen pregnancy care that comes with a real, evidence-backed preventive action plan that you and your provider can use to reduce your risk and support your pregnancy.
7. The emotional and mental impact is real, and often ignored
We can’t talk about pregnancy complications without mentioning the trauma that often comes with it. PTSD after pregnancy complications is real. So is postpartum anxiety and depression, especially when your birth story includes scary words like “emergency,” “NICU,” or “ICU.”
We need to normalize checking in on parents who’ve been through hard pregnancies or traumatic births, not just celebrating the baby’s arrival.
8. Not every risk shows up on paper
I didn’t think I’d end up on bed rest. Abby didn’t think she’d code in the ICU. But the reality is you can be young, healthy, and low-risk and still experience serious complications. That’s why we need better screening tools, more personalized care, and fewer assumptions.
We put so much energy into birth plans, but what about a complications plan? Knowing your individual risks can help you and your provider prepare for the unexpected, not just hope for the best.
9. There’s a cost to complications, and it’s not just emotional
Let’s not forget the financial side of things. Complications often lead to higher out-of-pocket costs, like hospital stays, emergency interventions, and NICU time. Investing in personalized, preventative care now can not only provide much-needed peace of mind, it can also help you avoid those major expenses down the line.
10. We need to talk about this stuff out loud and often
This might be the most important one. Complications shouldn’t be taboo; they should be part of the conversation. Because when we talk about them — when we show up for our friends who are scared, or stuck on bed rest, or navigating NICU life — everybody wins.
So, to my pregnant bestie: I know this journey isn’t always what you pictured. I know it can feel heavy and uncertain at times. But you’re doing an amazing job. You are strong, you are not alone, and you have more tools than ever before to support you. Encompass™ is one of them, and it’s one I genuinely believe in.
Let’s stop playing catch-up with pregnancy complications. Let’s start getting ahead of them, together.
Want to learn more or see if you’re eligible for Encompass™? Visit encompasstest.com.
Kristyn Hodgdon is a passionate women's health advocate and the Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer of Rescripted, where she helps break down complicated medical info into content that's easy to understand — and actually helpful. As an IVF mom who’s experienced pregnancy loss and lives with PCOS, Kristyn blends her professional know-how with real-life experience to support others navigating similar journeys. Her work has been featured on Good Morning America, ScaryMommy, and more, and she’s the host of the podcast From First Period To Last Period. A Fordham University grad, Kristyn also volunteers with the Fly Again Foundation, which supports breast cancer patients. You can find her on Instagram or connect with her on Linkedin.