Questions in a pregnancy health history
Is she healthy?
A pregnancy is more likely to go well for a woman who is in good health. See
Chapter 4 for general ideas for staying healthy. Also see Chapter 18 to learn about
avoiding vaginal infections. Some general health problems can cause serious
problems in pregnancy.
If a pregnant woman is sick with any of the following problems now,
she should get medical help to plan for her needs during pregnancy and
decide if she should give birth in a medical center:
• diabetes (see page 115)
• HIV and AIDS (see page 99)
• bladder or kidney infection (see page 128)
• malaria (see page 98)
• fever over 38°C (100.4°F) for
more than 2 days (see page 178)
• high blood pressure (see page 122)
• liver disease (hepatitis, especially
hepatitis B, see page 336)
• heart problems
• untreated tuberculosis
• deformity of the hips or lower back
If a woman has EVER had any of the following problems,
she should see a doctor or experienced health worker during
her pregnancy to find out whether
she still has a problem:
• hepatitis (see page 336)
• kidney infection (see page 128)
• pre-eclampsia (see page 125)
• frequent fevers
• tuberculosis
A Book for Midwives (2010)
97