Managing Maternal Conditions in Central California
Any medical or health condition in a mother that may affect her baby or complicate the pregnancy is considered a maternal condition. Examples of maternal conditions include:
- Cervical incompetence — the cervix opens before the end of pregnancy
- Preeclampsia — sudden increase in blood pressure during late stages of pregnancy
- Isoimmunization — condition caused by differences in the blood types of the baby and the mother
- Mullerian anomalies — vaginal and uterine malformations that cause problems with conception or pregnancy
- Gestational diabetes — high blood sugar levels that appear consistently during pregnancy
- Premature rupture of membranes — when a woman’s water breaks before the end of pregnancy
- Multiple gestation — any pregnancy with more than one baby (twins, triplets, etc.)
At Dignity Health Central California, we’re committed to the health and well-being of both you and your baby. If you are experiencing symptoms of a maternal condition in Central California, see one of our qualified obstetrics specialists right away. Use our Find a Doctor online tool to locate an obstetrician nearest to you.
Recognizing Symptoms of a Maternal Condition
Maternal conditions cause a number of different symptoms. Maternity specialists carefully monitor your health, and take note of any signs, or history of, medical problems.
If unusual symptoms, such as high blood pressure, high sugar levels, or unusual fetal development, are detected during pregnancy, your Dignity Health Central California doctor will likely order additional tests to confirm a diagnosis.
What are the Causes of Maternal Conditions?
A maternal condition can have many different causes, including injury, infection, or problems with genes that are passed down through families. Some women are born with a congenital maternal condition, such as Mullerian anomalies. In many cases, however, the cause of a specific maternal condition can’t be determined.
Treating Maternal Conditions at Dignity Health Central California
Generally, treatment strategy centers around improving and protecting the health of the mother and the baby.
At each visit, your Dignity Health Central California obstetrician will check your health and monitor the development of your baby. Regular pregnancy check-ups help to prevent some complications. We may recommend that you see a maternal fetal medicine specialist.
Most maternal conditions can be identified with proper pregnancy care. Treatment depends on the specific condition you are experiencing. Proper treatment can prevent most serious complications and lower the risk of problems during childbirth.
Welcoming your baby to the world should be one of the happiest events of your life. Dignity Health Central California birth centers offer a comfortable, family-centered environment and dedicated professionals to safely guide and support you through this exciting process. Learn more about our family birth centers at St. Joseph’s Medical Center, Memorial Hospital, Mercy Medical Center Merced and Mercy Hospitals.
Dignity Health Central California provides expert diagnosis and treatment of maternal conditions in Bakersfield, Merced, and Stockton, CA.
