Pre-existing Conditions and Complications

Pre-existing conditions when pregnant can translate into headaches, hassles and hazards. Pregnancy can be an incredibly exciting and wonderful time, especially if you’ve been struggling to get pregnant. However, for first time moms 35 or older, it can become complicated. Three pre-existing conditions can be especially troubling for moms in their mid-30s or beyond: diabetes, depression and hypertension. The good news is, with time, effort and attention, expectant mothers can minimize their risks of these or other pre-existing conditions complicating their pregnancy and can look forward to a happy, healthy baby.

Pre-existing Pregnancy Diabetes

Although many pregnant women suffer from gestational diabetes, there are more who enter into pregnancy with pre-existing Type I or Type II diabetes. If you’re one of them, there are a number of things that you can do to make your pregnancy go smoothly. First, take the time to discuss your condition with your OB/GYN. Let him or her know what medications you use to regulate your insulin and complications you’ve already experienced. There are also screenings that can help rule out additional, related complications of your pregnancy. You must think about both the short-term and the long-term solutions and make essential lifestyle changes you may have been previously avoiding. Diabetes (like other pre-existing conditions when pregnant) can be managed and minimized for a healthier mother and child.

Pre-existing Pregnancy Depression

Because hormones are thrown out of whack when you’re pregnant, a pre-existing condition pregnancy can actually heighten depression. Far from being mere “sadness” or a case of the blues, depression is a serious condition that can impact every aspect of your life. This is especially true if you're a mom-to-be 35 or older. While depression is never easy to cope with, when you’re battling with a bulging body, struggles between your work and home life, sexual implications of your new pregnancy and the changing dynamic of becoming a mother, a pre-existing condition before pregnancy like depression can easily escalate out of control. As with other conditions, talking with your OB/GYN is critical, and you should also talk to a mental health professional about any potential risks associated with any antidepressant medications you may be taking.

Pre-existing Pregnancy Hypertension

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, may be something many expectant mothers have never had to contend with until they got pregnant. However, for other mothers-to-be, it has been an ongoing, chronic condition they wrestle to control. Chronic, pre-existing hypertension can generally be managed. However another type of hypertension, pregnancy-induced hypertension, can be very serious. A combination of the two can be absolutely lethal for mommy and baby. The good news is that many of the more serious side effects of hypertension can be managed by medications. During pregnancy, though, toxemia and preeclampsia (other names for pregnancy-induced hypertension) must be carefully monitored to prevent serious complications that put the lives of both mother and baby in jeopardy.