The fertility rate in the United States was 56.3 per 1,000 women from the ages of 15 to 44 in 2021, according to women and babies’ health organization March of Dimes. There were 3.66 million live births in the US that year. From 2019 to 2021, 52 percent of live births were White, with the majority of mothers from 20 to 39 years old. Every year, 60,000 or more women experience some kind of pregnancy or delivery complication. These complications can range considerably in terms of severity.
A pregnancy complication can be defined as any mental or physical condition that negatively impacts the health of the child or mother during or after the pregnancy. The many unique causes behind pregnancy complications can begin at any point, including before a woman becomes pregnant and after a successful delivery.
There are many ways for an expecting mother to mitigate their chances of developing a health complication linked to their pregnancy. Some complications result from unhealthy lifestyle choices such as using tobacco products, drinking excessive amounts of alcohol, and eating an unhealthy diet. A poor diet can lead to obesity, which can cause numerous pregnancy complications.
In the US, maternal obesity ranks as one of the most commonly observed pregnancy risk factors. Women living with obesity carry a higher risk of many complications impacting both mother and child, including miscarriage, preeclampsia, and venous thromboembolism. Women with obesity are also more likely to require induced labor and cesarean section procedures and to experience complications while on anesthesia. Obesity can further impact a mother’s ability to initiate and maintain breastfeeding. Regarding the child’s health, common complications range from various congenital anomalies to neonatal death.
Obesity is often associated with diabetes, another potential risk factor when it comes to pregnancy complications. Women can reduce their chances of developing type 2 diabetes by eating healthy foods and exercising regularly, but nearly 1.5 million Americans live with type 1 diabetes, the causes of which remain unclear to medical professionals. Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes result in high blood sugar levels, which increase the risk of birth defects, preterm births, and stillbirths.
In addition to eating a proper diet, individuals can decrease their risk of birth complications by following preconception healthcare standards. Preconception is a comprehensive field of healthcare that helps women prepare for a healthy pregnancy, though the tenets of preconception health can benefit all women. Aspects of preconception health range from learning about common environmental contaminants to researching relevant family health history.
Preconception healthcare transitions into prenatal care after a woman becomes pregnant. During this time, families and healthcare providers must discuss any health conditions or medications the mother is taking that may impact the child’s health. Other important elements of prenatal care include screening and diagnostic testing for both genetic and anatomic abnormalities.
Health providers continue to support mothers through postpartum care. Various health risks can arise following a normal pregnancy and delivery, such as postnatal depression. More than 10 percent of mothers experience depression within 12 months of giving birth. Any woman who has given birth within the last 12 months and believes they are experiencing physical or psychological symptoms should discuss their concerns with a healthcare provider.
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