Managing maternal conditions

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, we’re committed to the health and well-being of both you and your baby. If you are experiencing symptoms of a maternal condition, 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 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

Generally, treatment strategy centers around improving and protecting the health of the mother and the baby.

At each visit, your Dignity Health 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's 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:

Bakersfield

Merced

Mercy Medical Center

Stockton

St. Joseph's Medical Center

Dignity Health provides expert diagnosis and treatment of maternal conditions in Bakersfield, Merced, and Stockton, CA.