9 Different Types Of Pregnancy (A Complete Guide)

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An intrauterine pregnancy- one of the types of pregnancy is what everybody wants.

In this pregnancy, a healthy sperm meets the egg and their mutation gives rise to a fetus.

Then the fetus sets down in the uterus, exactly where it should, then it grows and then the mother gives birth to a healthy baby.

Isn’t that simple?

Well, it’s not.

Pregnancy isn’t that simple all the time.

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For instance, there are about 9 types of pregnancy pregnant women run into. And more, some complicated ones.

But do you know what are they?

Well fortunately, this article addresses all the types of pregnancies, their features, symptoms, risk factors as well as the risks associated with them.

So, without any further delay let’s get started.

WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF PREGNANCY?

These are the 9 types of pregnancies.

  1. Intrauterine pregnancy
  2. Ectopic pregnancy
  3. Tubal pregnancy
  4. Singlet pregnancy
  5. Multiple pregnancy
  6. Lupus pregnancy
  7. Intra-abdominal pregnancy
  8. High risk pregnancy
  9. Molar pregnancy

Let’s discuss these types of pregnancy on an individual basis.

1. WHAT IS INTRAUTERINE PREGNANCY?

Intrauterine pregnancy is the typical pregnancy where the fertilized egg implants in the uterus or womb.

Then, the placenta (an organ that developed in the uterus to supply oxygen and nutrients to the baby) attaches to the uterine muscles.

After that pregnancy progresses as it should.

Besides, it’s also defined as the gestational sac (a fluid filled structure that surrounds the embryo) containing either a single yolk sac or a fetal pole.

Moreover, it’s the pregnancy that everybody wants.

In case everything goes well, in no question you will have a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby.

SYMPTOMS OF INTRAUTERINE PREGNANCY

The typical symptoms of these pregnancy includes,

Also Read: Why only a few women face nosebleeds during pregnancy?

2. WHAT IS ECTOPIC PREGNANCY?

Ectopic pregnancy means the implantation of a fertilized egg outside of the uterus.

It occurs when a fertilized egg gets struck on its way to the uterus and implants in a fallopian tube or somewhere outside of the uterus.

It’s an abnormal pregnancy that can possibly be the result of factors including

  • Damaged fallopian tubes
  • Abnormal hormonal levels
  • Genetic abnormalities
  • Abnormal growth of the embryo

TYPES OF ECTOPIC PREGNANCY

In general there are 3 types of ectopic pregnancy. Such as

  • Tubal pregnancy
  • Non tubal pregnancy
  • Heterotopic pregnancy

Moreover, a fertilized egg can never be able to grow outside of the uterus. And if it does, it can lead to life-threatening internal bleeding in the mother for the damage caused by the fetus.

So, the only way to treat an ectopic pregnancy is to stop the growth of the fetus by medications or to rule it out by surgical process.

A pregnancy loss is a must in ectopic pregnancy.

SYMPTOMS OF ECTOPIC PREGNANCY

Women who get pregnant with an ectopic pregnancy often complaint over experiencing symptoms including

  • Severe pain in pelvic region
  • Pain in abdomen especially on one side
  • Bloating, nausea and vomiting
  • Heavy vaginal bleeding
  • Cramps

RISK FACTORS OF ECTOPIC PREGNANCY

The risk factors of an ectopic pregnancy includes

  • Previous ectopic pregnancy
  • Fallopian tube, pelvic or abdominal surgery
  • Certain STIs
  • Smoking
  • Tubal surgery
  • Fertility treatments
  • Pelvic inflammatory disease
  • Endometriosis

3. WHAT IS TUBAL PREGNANCY?

A tubal pregnancy is a type of ectopic pregnancy where the fetus implants nowhere in the reproductive system but in the fallopian tube.

(The fallopian tubes are responsible for carrying the eggs from the ovaries to the uterus).

This rare case can happen for an infection or inflammation in any of those tubes.

As these factors can completely or partially block the tube they eventually lead the fetus to move down the fallopian tube quickly enough.

Thus, it causes tubal pregnancy.

Moreover, the fetus cannot grow out there more than several weeks in this type of pregnancy.

That’s because the tissues of fallopian tubes cannot provide the necessary amount of blood and nutrients it requires.

4. WHAT IS SINGLET PREGNANCY?

It is the simplest and most common type of pregnancy.

In singlet pregnancy a healthy sperm meets the egg and their mutation gives life to a fetus.

As simple as that.

SYMPTOMS OF SINGLET PREGNANCY

A singlet pregnancy holds the typical signs of pregnancy including

  • Increased urination
  • Morning sickness
  • Swollen and tender breast
  • Mild back pain
  • Mood swings
  • Headaches
  • And more

Also Read: How can tooth loss be a sign of pregnancy?

5. WHAT IS MULTIPLE PREGNANCY?

Read about singlet pregnancy?

Then give that term into a complete turn over and what you will get is a definition from multiple pregnancy.

Coming straight to the point, a multiple pregnancy is referred to as when an expecting woman carries two or more babies at the same time.

The babies in this pregnancy are known as twins, triplets or multiples.

This type of pregnancy occurs 1 in every 60 pregnancies, and the cases of this pregnancy have been increasing.

WHAT CAUSES MULTIPLE PREGNANCIES?

There are two significant characteristics that result in multiple pregnancies. Which are,

  • When a fertilized egg splits before it implants on the uterine lining or uterus
  • Or when two or multiple eggs are fertilized by different sperms at the same time

So, a multiple pregnancy can lead to either identical or fraternal siblings.

RISK FACTORS OF MULTIPLE PREGNANCIES

There are several factors that possibly can contribute to multiple pregnancies.

For example,

  • Being older or at the age over than 30
  • You are a twin yourself
  • Having a family history of multiple pregnancy
  • The extended usage of fertility drugs
  • In vitro fertilization or IVF
  • Being overweight or being obese before conceiving

SYMPTOMS OF MULTIPLE PREGNANCIES

Women who carry multiple babies experience these following symptoms

  • Severe morning sickness or nausea and vomiting
  • Rapid weight gain even in the first trimester
  • Enlarged and very tender breasts
  • Higher hCG levels in urine
  • High amount of protein alpha fetoprotein in blood
  • Too frequent urination
  • Early fetal movements

RISKS OF MULTIPLE PREGNANCIES

The conception with multiple babies needs advanced attention the singlet pregnancies.

That’s because a pregnant with multiple babies is more likely to face health issues including

  • Anemia
  • Preterm labor
  • High blood pressure
  • Hyperemesis gravidarum
  • Miscarriage or stillbirth
  • Polyhydramnios
  • Gestational diabetes
  • Postpartum hemorrhage
  • Postpartum depression

These complications are often attributed with multiple pregnancies.

But the good news is women who are given proper attention and care have been reported to have healthy pregnancies and babies even in multiple pregnancies.

6. WHAT IS LUPUS PREGNANCY?

In this type of pregnancy the gestation is carried out by a woman who is affected with the autoimmune disease named lupus.

Lupus is a condition that causes joint pain, fever, skin rashes and organ damage.

In this pregnancy however blood clotting is the utmost concern.

Oftentimes, women with lupus get a healthy pregnancy as well as healthy babies.

LUPUS PREGNANCY SYMPTOMS

With a lupus pregnancy, a woman is likely to face some abnormal symptoms alongside the normal ones.

For example, these abnormal symptoms include

  • Build up of fluid in joints
  • Severe joint pain
  • Shortness of breath
  • Skin changes, including rashes, flushes or darkening

RISKS OF LUPUS PREGNANCY

There are several factors that indicate why lupus is a high risk pregnancy.

For instance, women with lupus while pregnant are at greater risk to face

  • High blood pressure
  • Preeclampsia
  • HELLP syndrome
  • Blood clot problems
  • Preterm delivery
  • Urinary tract infection
  • Renal insufficiency

Thus, it’s important to be more conscious of your health in case you have lupus in pregnancy.

7. WHAT IS INTRA ABDOMINAL PREGNANCY

An intra-abdominal pregnancy is a type of ectopic pregnancy where the fetus implants and develops in the abdominal cavity.

Most of the time, the fetus is seen to set itself in the larger vessels or in vital organs but not in the uterus.

Since, the baby does not develop in the womb; it eventually gets a lack of adequate blood and nutrition from the mother.

It is not even protected by the amniotic fluid or sac.

So, the survival chance of the baby becomes a question.

Sao, this pregnancy eventually terminates.

SYMPTOMS OF INTRA ABDOMINAL PREGNANCY

The symptoms of an intra abdominal pregnancy hold

  • Severe abdominal pain
  • Pain during fetal movements
  • Displacement of the cervix
  • Too much vomiting and nausea

RISKS OF INTRA ABDOMINAL PREGNANCY

The risk factors that are responsible for intra-abdominal pregnancy include

  • Tubal damage
  • Previous cesarean delivery
  • Pelvic inflammatory disease
  • Assisted reproductive techniques
  • Endometriosis
  • Previous pelvic surgery

8. WHAT IS HIGH RISK PREGNANCY ?

It is on one of pregnancies that exposes the mother or the fetus’s health into complications.

In these pregnancies, the pregnant women hold a higher chance to miscarry, deliver the baby prematurely, stillbirth and more complications.

High risk pregnancy is often considered when a woman holds any of these following conditions

  • Ill controlled high blood pressure
  • Gestational diabetes
  • Being HIV positive
  • STIs
  • Autoimmune disorders or diseases
  • Thyroid problems
  • Kidney diseases
  • Being overweight or obese

These above mentioned pre-existing or recently established conditions while gestational period indicates a high risk pregnancy.

Besides, high risk pregnancy is also happen in women who have

  • Previous miscarriage or stillbirth
  • Had a cesarean delivery
  • The previous baby was premature or had birth defects
  • A history of preterm delivery

RISKS OF HIGH RISK PREGNANCY

The risks of high risk pregnancy includes

  • C-section childbirth
  • Neural tube defects of the previous baby
  • A baby with malformations
  • Miscarriages
  • Stillbirths
  • And more

9. WHAT IS MOLAR PREGNANCY ?

It is one of the most complicated types of pregnancy where there is abnormal growth of the trophoblasts- the cells in the placenta.

It can be the result of an abnormally fertilized egg.

This condition restricts the fetus from proper developments which often results with miscarriage in the early pregnancy.

TYPES OF MOLAR PREGNANCY

There are two types of molar pregnancy. Which are,

COMPLETE MOLAR PREGNANCY

In this type of pregnancies, the placental tissues are completely abnormal and swollen.

Here the placenta appears forming fluid filled cysts and no formation of fetal tissues is noticed.

PARTIAL MOLAR PREGNANCY

In partial molar pregnancy, the placental tissues hold both normal tissues and abnormally forming placental tissues.

The fetus may grow for some weeks but it eventually leads to a pregnancy loss after a certain period.

SYMPTOMS OF MOLAR PREGNANCY

The symptoms of molar pregnancy includes,

  • Uncontrollable nausea and vomiting
  • Vaginal bleeding with dark brown or bright red discharge
  • Pelvic pressure and pain
  • Sometimes vaginal passage of grape like cysts are also noticed

Other symptoms of this pregnancy includes

  • Rapid uterine growth within limited period
  • Too high blood pressure
  • Ovarian cysts
  • Anemia
  • Hyperthyroidism
  • Preeclampsia

RISK FACTORS OF MOLAR PREGNANCY

The risk factors of a molar pregnancy are still unclear. But there are 3 leading cause behind it which are

  • Younger maternal age (being younger than 20)
  • Older maternal age (older than 35)
  • A history of molar pregnancy

So, these are the 9 types of pregnancy.

HOW TO HAVE A HEALTHY PREGNANCY

So, it’s clear-cut that the safest pregnancy is an intrauterine singlet pregnancy. And if I have conceived with this pregnancy, then congratulations.

However, the job isn’t done yet. That’s because it’s your duty to progress the pregnancy in a safe manner.

Even in this pregnancy, you have to perform some tasks in order to confirm your pregnancy is healthy.

For that reason, you have to consider these following things no matter what.

  • Undertake measures to avoid sleeplessness
  • Never skip your prenatal vitamins
  • Avoid caffeine
  • Approach safe sex
  • Prefer a healthy diet plan
  • Listen to your doctor or healthcare provider
  • Perform some physical activities like exercising, yoga, Pilates, walking or more
  • Avoid drinking and smoking
  • Avoid certain harmful foods
  • Don’t ignore your mental health
  • Be more hygienic
  • Gain weight smartly
  • Listen to your body

A must read: important things to do during the first trimester?

LAST WORDS FROM PREGARLYBODY

It’s so true that pregnancy is crucial and the pregnancy health should be very sound. This is true.

But the thing people often underestimate is, the health condition before conceiving is also important and should not be ignored at any event.

So, my advice for you is to invest in your health first.

And if you have any triggering health conditions, then keep in touch with your doctors and put all your efforts in managing it before conceiving.

As you know, not every time things go the way as you predict.

But it’s your job to try to make things less complicated.

So, start it off with your health first.

Besides, I hope that you came to know a thing about the types of pregnancy.

And only if you like, you can read my post next, how to instantly get rid of vaginal dryness during pregnancy for sex.

All at the end, pregarlybody wishes you a healthy pregnancy ahead. 

Patricia Pifer

Patricia Pifer is the main author of pregarlybody.com website. She’s an avid health and fitness enthusiast and loves sharing her passion for juicing with others.

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