Risk Factors & Chronic Disease

Pregnancy can change your health in unexpected ways. If you develop chronic conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes during your pregnancy, or are a mother with chronic health conditions you may need extra help from your doctor.

When to seek immediate help

If you're pregnant, contact your doctor right away if you have:

Vaginal bleeding
Watery vaginal discharge
Pain or cramping in your abdomen or pelvis area
Less fetal activity than usual
Severe headaches
Pain or burning when you urinate
Changes in vision, including blurred vision
Sudden or severe swelling in the face, hands or fingers
Fever or chills
Vomiting or frequent nausea
Chest pain or shortness of breath
Dizziness
Weakness
Extreme tiredness
Nervousness or worrying that make it hard to do your daily activities
Overwhelming feelings of sadness or sadness that lasts
Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby

Some pregnancies are considered high-risk, which means you or your baby might be more likely to develop health problems before, during, or after delivery.

How do I know if I’m at risk?

Factors that determine a high-risk pregnancy can include:

Existing chronic diseases
Age (primarily women under 15 and over 40)
Pregnancy with two or more babies
Using substances like alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs
Certain disorders of the placenta
Abnormal genetic test or fetal ultrasound
Preterm delivery in a prior pregnancy

How do I get help with risk factors?

Having one or more of these risk factors does not automatically mean you won’t have a healthy baby. However, you may need extra medical appointments or tests during your pregnancy. At those appointments, your healthcare team checks if you’re developing any health problems and treats them quickly if needed.

You may also need special tests before, during, and after pregnancy. Read more about maternal health testing.

Quick Guide

Chronic health conditions

A chronic health condition (also called chronic illness or chronic disease) lasts for one year or more; requires ongoing medical care; and can affect your usual activities and daily life. Many of the factors that determine a high-risk pregnancy can also lead to chronic health conditions.

Some examples of chronic health conditions include:

Diabetes
Depression
Heart disease
High blood pressure
HIV
Obesity

Chronic health conditions can increase your risk for:

Trouble getting pregnant
Premature birth
Birth defects
Pregnancy loss, like miscarriage and stillbirth

How should I work with my doctor?

Your health care providers can help you manage your condition for a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby. Your prenatal care provider (like an OB-GYN) and the provider who treats your chronic condition (your regular doctor or specialist) should work together so everyone has the right information to give you the best care.

What about my medications?

Many mothers take medicines during pregnancy to control a chronic health condition. About seven in 10 women take at least one prescription medicine during pregnancy, but risks can exist. Work with your health care team to decide whether you should continue taking your current medication or switch to a different care option.