Maternal health is a person's health and well-being while they are pregnant, during childbirth, and after childbirth. Each of these phases are important to the health of the baby and the parent. It is important to have regular health care visits to stay healthy, prevent, identify, and address any complications and improve the pregnancy and overall health.
Health Problems
Several health problems are more likely to arise during and after pregnancy. These include:
- Diabetes: Gestational diabetes develops during pregnancy in women who don't already have diabetes. There are steps you can take to manage diabetes before, during, or after pregnancy. Learn more about gestational diabetes.
- High Blood Pressure: Some people develop high blood pressure during pregnancy which can increase risk of problems for the parent and baby. Learn more about complications and what you can do to control your blood pressure.
- Depression: Depression is common and can be treated. Depression after pregnancy is called postpartum depression and it is important to seek treatment from your health care provider if you are feeling depressed. Learn more about postpartum depression.
Staying Healthy
Many of the thing you do to stay healthy become even more important when you are pregnant. Talking with a health care provider if you are thinking of becoming pregnant or are pregnant is an important step to a staying healthy during and after your pregnancy. Here are some other steps you can take to stay healthy.
- Avoid drinking alcohol and other drugs
- Do not use tobacco and avoid exposure to secondhand smoke
- Stay up to date on your health care check ups
- Learn about your family's health history
- Get 400 micrograms of folic acid daily
- Get tested for STIs