Understand your Obstetrical History to understand your future health

If you have ever been pregnant and carried a child, or have had recurrent pregnancy losses - understand your obstetrical history to understand your future health risks.

During pregnancy, the maternal cardiovascular system undergoes significant changes to meet the increasing demands of fetal growth. Common complications, such as gestational diabetes mellitus, preeclampsia, low birth weight, and preterm delivery, may be linked to a higher risk of future cardiovascular events. Factors like glucose metabolism, hyperlipidemia, inflammatory markers, and the stiffness and functionality of large and small blood vessels have been associated with these complications. Importantly, there are currently no established guidelines that consider these maternal factors when assessing future cardiovascular disease risk, which is a leading cause of mortality among women. 

  • If you have been pregnant, be sure to understand and review your obstetrical history to understand your future health. Get regular screening, and Intervene early and make lifestyle modifications.

  • Know your Obstetrical History to understand your risk for future

  • cardio metabolic disease. Understanding your obstetrical history is crucial for anticipating and managing future risks

  • A woman's obstetrical history can impact her future health in a number of ways, including an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.

    • Preterm birth

      • Preterm birth is associated with a two-fold increase in the risk of cardiovascular disease later in life. The risk is highest for deliveries before 32 weeks gestation. 

    • Preeclampsia

      • Women with a history of recurrent preeclampsia have a two-times increased risk of heart disease and three times the risk of cerebrovascular disease. 

    • Hypertension

      • High blood pressure during pregnancy increases risk for elevated blood pressure and cardiovascular disease later in life.
        Gestational diabetes Up to 70% of women with gestational diabetes will develop type 2 diabetes within 22–28 years after pregnancy. 

    • Birth weight and congenital malformations

      • A previous infant's birth weight and certain congenital malformations may indicate a predisposition to vascular hypertensive or diabetic illness.  Several recent retrospective studies have shown that women who have delivered a newborn with low birth weight (<2500 g) have 7-11 times the risk of death from cardiovascular causes, compared with women with babies weighing more than 3500 grams.

    • Recurrent Pregnancy Losses

      • Recurrent pregnancy losses can be associated with blood clotting disorders, also known as thrombophilias. Conditions such as antiphospholipid syndrome, factor V Leiden mutation, and other clotting disorders can increase the risk of miscarriage. These disorders can affect blood flow to the placenta, leading to complications that may result in pregnancy loss. If someone has experienced recurrent miscarriages, it's important to discuss testing for clotting disorders with a healthcare provider. 

    • Other pregnancy-related complications that can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease include placental abruption. 

To reduce the risk of chronic illness and disability, women with these conditions should: Get regular care with their primary care provider, make lifestyle modifications, get regular screening, and Intervene early.