Pregnancy-Related Complications Can Tell Women A Lot About Possible Long-Term Health Issues

It is no hidden truth that pregnancy can change a woman’s body in many ways. What many people do not realize is that not only does carry a child mean life-long body alterations, but this fragile state can also push them to have long term health consequences as well. Surprisingly, doctors have not been taking these complications seriously. According to a report published in the journal, 17% percent of women who were diagnosed with gestational diabetes and high blood pressure received proper health screening within the year after they gave birth. The women who were considered at-risk from the screenings, less than half of them received the necessary three-year screening done. The study concluded that this was a major setback from the doctor’s end as they deemed these important health complications unworthy of being pursued properly for the women’s health.

Many people do not know that while a woman’s body does adjust to have a child grow inside it, the compromise affects their vital organs, meaning they are immuno-compromised, their hearts are pumping blood for their own body as well as the fetus growing which means their blood pressure is quite high, as well as everything in their bodies go into overdrive. Not only is their immune system, meant for one person, prepping for two, but also their heart, their digestive system etc. Many times, pregnant women develop gestational diabetes which means their body cannot produce enough insulin for the body. The study thus brings up a very important conversation regarding women’s healthcare and the lack of infrastructure meant to support new moms and women who have gone through pregnancy already.

Insufficient Post-Pregnancy Screening

After a difficult pregnancy, doctors should check a woman's health to see if she's at risk for heart problems. But sadly, this often doesn't happen. Many women who had diabetes or high blood pressure during pregnancy don't get the tests they need. This means things like blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels aren't checked like they should be. This is a problem because these tests can find early signs of heart disease. If these signs are missed, women might not get the help they need to stay healthy. This lack of screening puts women’s long term health in jeopardy.

It's really important for women to know that pregnancy complications can affect their heart health. They need to talk to their doctors about getting checked. Knowing their risks helps women make good choices. They can eat healthier, exercise more, and take other steps to protect their hearts. Doctors also need to do their part. They should follow the guidelines and make sure women get the tests they need. By working together, women and doctors can help prevent heart problems. The goal is for every woman to understand her risks and take control of her health.

What Are Some Recommendations For Pregnant Women and Moms?

To see how often women get checked after pregnancy, researchers looked at the records of many women. They found that most women with pregnancy complications didn't get all the tests they needed. This means many women are missing out on important health checks. The study also found that family doctors are the ones who usually order these tests. So, it's important to help family doctors do a better job of screening women. Health complications during pregnancy may be common, but that does not mean they should be ignored. Doctors should help new moms know what are some common health issues that can happen due to pregnancy. According to Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, these are the common complications during pregnancy you should know of.

High Blood Pressure in Pregnancy: Narrowed arteries increase pressure, hindering placental blood flow, impacting fetal growth, and raising risks of preterm labor and preeclampsia.

Gestational Diabetes: Hormonal changes during pregnancy disrupt insulin use, causing high blood sugar. Management prevents complications like preeclampsia and large infants.

Infections During Pregnancy: Infections, including STIs, pose risks of miscarriage, preterm birth, birth defects, and newborn illness. Prevention and early treatment are crucial.

Preeclampsia Risks: This serious condition, with unknown causes, increases risks of preterm delivery and maternal death, especially in first pregnancies and with existing health issues.

Preterm Labor Dangers: Birth before 37 weeks raises infant health risks due to incomplete development. Progesterone can help prevent preterm births in high-risk women.

Depression and Anxiety in Pregnancy: Common conditions affecting maternal and child health, requiring recognition and treatment. Early intervention is key to positive outcomes.

Pregnancy Loss and Stillbirth: Miscarriage before 20 weeks and stillbirth after 20 weeks can result from various factors, including infections and chromosomal abnormalities.

Other Pregnancy Complications: Severe nausea (hyperemesis gravidarum) and iron-deficiency anemia can cause significant health issues, requiring medical intervention and management.

Sources

https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/full/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.124.072067

https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/pregnancy/conditioninfo/complications

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gestational-diabetes/symptoms-causes/syc-20355339