During pregnancy, having a disorder can increase the risk of problems. The disorder may be one that
Women had before they became pregnant (preexisting disorders)
Develops during the pregnancy but is not directly related to the pregnancy
Is more likely to occur during pregnancy
Diabetes Diabetes During Pregnancy For women who have diabetes before they become pregnant, the risks of complications during pregnancy depend on how long diabetes has been present and whether complications of diabetes, such... read more and high blood pressure High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy High blood pressure (hypertension) during pregnancy is classified as one of the following: Chronic hypertension: Blood pressure was high before the pregnancy. Gestational hypertension: Blood... read more are examples of preexisting disorders that increase the risk of problems during pregnancy. If women who have such a disorder wish to become pregnant, they should first talk with a doctor and try to get in the best physical condition possible before they become pregnant. After such women become pregnant, they may need special care, often from an interdisciplinary team. The team may include an obstetrician (who may also be a specialist in care of the disorder during pregnancy), a specialist in the disorder, and other health care practitioners (such as nutritionists).
Sometimes disorders that are not directly related to pregnancy develop during pregnancy. Some of them increase the risk of problems for pregnant women or the fetus. They include
Some disorders are more likely to occur during pregnancy because of the many changes pregnancy causes in a woman’s body. Examples are
Blood clots in the legs or lungs (thromboembolic disorders Thromboembolic Disorders During Pregnancy In thromboembolic disorders, blood clots (thrombi) form in blood vessels. An embolus is a blood clot that travels through the bloodstream and blocks an artery. In the United States, thromboembolic... read more )
