According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2010 chronic disease accounted for 7 out of the 10 top causes of death in the United States. Additionally, in 2012, nearly half of the adult population in the U.S. was diagnosed with at least one chronic condition.
Managing a chronic disease can be difficult and may require a good amount of effort. However, these efforts increase when managing a pre-existing health condition while pregnant. For this reason, it is important to be as healthy as possible before conception.
Speak With Your Physician Before Getting Pregnant
If you have a condition that you’ve been managing long-term, speak to your doctor before your pregnancy or as soon as you conceive. Chronic conditions may affect the health of your developing baby, and the stress of pregnancy may contribute to further health complications for you.
In your first prenatal visit, you will discuss your medical history, family medical history, and your current state of health. These conversations will reveal information critical to creating your prenatal care plan. If you have a family medical history of a chronic health condition or of a genetic disorder, your physician will want to monitor this very closely.
If you are currently receiving treatment for a health condition, your physician will want to discuss your treatment plan. Some medications may not be safe to take at the same dosage while pregnant and your doctor may want to discuss safer treatment options for your specific diagnosis.
Common Health Conditions to Monitor Throughout Pregnancy
- Mental health conditions
- Obesity
- Heart disease and other complications of the heart
- High blood pressure
- Epilepsy
- Asthma
- Diabetes
Consistent monitoring of preexisting health conditions gives you and your doctor ample time to recognize possible concerns. When monitored correctly, severe complications may be avoided.
For example, failure to manage diabetes in the early stages of pregnancy may increase the risk of your baby developing a birth defect to about 30-40%. Women who properly manage diabetes have a much lower risk, about 2%, that their baby will develop a birth defect.
Furthermore, chronic high blood pressure may lead to preeclampsia when pregnant. Preeclampsia is a condition that results in decreased blood flow, less oxygen, and less nutrients to the fetus. This condition also increases the mother’s risk of cardiovascular disease in the future.
Routine check-ups may help you determine if you will need close monitoring while giving birth and what facility will be best for your specific situation.
When Special Testing Becomes Necessary
Prenatal testing is a routine part of prenatal care. Some tests are administered to every woman, such as urine and blood pressure tests, to monitor preexisting health conditions as well as the presence of common pregnancy complications.
Other tests are presented to women when a potential health concern is detected. If you have a family medical history of a genetic condition, such as Down syndrome or other chromosomal abnormalities, or have previously given birth to a baby with a genetic disorder, your physician may present you with the option of performing noninvasive prenatal genetic testing. This test is only requires a simple blood draw from the mother and can provide deeper insight into fetal health.
How to Best Manage Your Health
Speak with your healthcare provider if you have a chronic health condition and are thinking about becoming pregnant, or if you have recently discovered that you’re pregnant. Your doctor will work closely with you to monitor your health as well as the health of your baby in a manner that is most appropriate for your specific diagnosis.
