Maternal Illness

Maternal illness is a term used to describe any illness or health condition that is experienced during pregnancy and can affect both the mother and the unborn child. Common types of maternal illness include gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, hypertension, infections, and mental health conditions. Gestational diabetes is a condition in which the blood glucose levels of a pregnant woman are higher than normal. This can be caused by the body’s inability to produce enough insulin to meet the increased demand during pregnancy. If left untreated, gestational diabetes can lead to complications such as preterm birth, large birth weight, and fetal macrosomia. Preeclampsia is a condition that is characterized by high blood pressure and protein in the urine. It can occur anytime after 20 weeks of pregnancy and can cause serious complications for both the mother and the baby. If left untreated, preeclampsia can lead to seizures, stroke, placental abruption, and even death. Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is another common type of maternal illness. It can be caused by preeclampsia or by other conditions such as chronic kidney disease or chronic hypertension.