Pregnancy: Health Risks for Moms

ORLANDO, Fla. (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Ten million babies are born a year; 300,000 right here in the U.S. That's 300,000 new moms who not only need to watch their newborns health, but also their own. What happens during pregnancy could affect them for the rest of their lives.

Swapna Reddy just minutes away from giving birth.

"I'm extremely tired of being pregnant," she told Ivanhoe. "I'm tired of being this big."

But what new moms-to-be may not be ready for are problems after pregnancy. In a Danish study of 780,000 woman, expecting moms who had high blood pressure problems were four to six times more likely to develop hypertension post-baby. High blood sugar during pregnancy can also be a warning. A Canadian study of 75,000 women found those who had even minor abnormalities on glucose tests during pregnancy were 2.5 times more likely to develop diabetes later. 

So as Reddy's little guy comes into the world, new moms need to not only pay attention to their baby's health, but their own as well.

Make sure your doctor knows your pregnancy history, and be careful about keeping weight down and exercise levels up.