Maternal illness refers to any health condition that emerges or worsens during pregnancy, childbirth, or the postpartum period, which extends up to a year after birth. These conditions can significantly impact the health and well-being of the pregnant individual. Addressing them is important for a healthy pregnancy and a positive start for both parent and baby.
Categories of Maternal Illnesses
Maternal illnesses are broadly categorized into physical and mental health challenges. Physical conditions include those that arise due to the physiological demands of pregnancy. For example, gestational diabetes develops when the body cannot produce enough insulin to manage blood sugar levels during pregnancy, affecting approximately 10% of pregnant women in the United States. It can cause increased thirst and more frequent urination, though often without obvious symptoms.
Preeclampsia, another physical condition, begins after 20 weeks of pregnancy and involves high blood pressure with signs of organ damage, such as protein in the urine. Symptoms range from mild swelling in the hands and face, to severe headaches, vision changes, or upper right abdominal pain. Hyperemesis gravidarum is severe, persistent nausea and vomiting, often leading to dehydration and weight loss exceeding 5% of pre-pregnancy weight, distinguishing it from typical morning sickness. Severe anemia, often due to iron deficiency, occurs when the blood lacks enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen effectively, causing fatigue, weakness, and shortness of breath.
Mental health conditions also affect pregnant individuals. Prenatal depression involves persistent sadness, anxiety, and fatigue that can interfere with daily life. Prenatal anxiety manifests as excessive worry, fear, or stress that becomes difficult to control and significantly impacts daily functioning, sometimes accompanied by physical symptoms like a racing heartbeat or dizziness. Postpartum depression, distinct from the temporary “baby blues,” is a more severe mood disorder that can develop any time within the first year after childbirth, causing intense sadness, anxiety, hopelessness, and exhaustion, making it difficult to care for oneself or the baby.
How Maternal Illness Affects Pregnancy and Beyond
Maternal illnesses can have consequences for both the pregnant individual and the developing fetus or newborn. For the pregnant person, physical conditions can lead to complications such as organ strain, increased risk of C-sections, and challenges during recovery. For instance, unmanaged gestational diabetes increases the risk of preeclampsia and can lead to difficulties during labor. Severe anemia can increase the risk of blood loss during delivery and make it harder to fight infections.
Mental health conditions impact the pregnant person’s well-being, leading to increased stress, difficulty bonding with the baby, and potential long-term health issues. Untreated prenatal depression can make it challenging to maintain healthy habits during pregnancy, such as attending medical appointments or eating a nutritious diet. Anxiety during pregnancy can contribute to heightened stress levels, affecting emotional well-being and daily functioning.
The developing fetus and newborn can experience effects from maternal illness. Conditions like gestational diabetes can lead to high birth weight, preterm birth, or low blood sugar in the baby after delivery. Preeclampsia can reduce blood flow to the fetus, affecting growth and leading to preterm delivery. Severe anemia during the first two trimesters is linked to an increased risk of preterm delivery or low birth weight.
Maternal mental health conditions, such as prenatal depression and anxiety, are associated with outcomes such as lower birth weight, preterm birth, and an increased chance of the child developing emotional or behavioral challenges later in life. Early diagnosis and careful management are important to reduce these risks for both the parent and the baby.
When to Seek Medical Support
Recognizing signs that warrant medical consultation is important for prompt intervention. Symptoms that warrant a call to a doctor or midwife include persistent severe headaches, sudden changes in vision, or extreme swelling of the hands or face. Other physical symptoms include a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, trouble breathing, chest pain, severe nausea and vomiting not related to typical morning sickness, persistent severe abdominal pain, or reduced fetal movement. Any vaginal bleeding or fluid leakage during pregnancy, or heavy bleeding after delivery, require immediate medical attention.
Changes in mood and emotional well-being are important to discuss with a healthcare provider. These include feelings of sadness, anxiety, or fatigue that are overwhelming, persistent, or interfere with daily activities. Thoughts of harming oneself or the baby are serious and require immediate medical attention. Prompt diagnosis and treatment can significantly improve outcomes for both the pregnant person and the baby. Trusting your instincts and advocating for your health are important.