Services for pre-existing health conditions

Advice about health conditions you already had before you were pregnant. This list is not exhaustive, the most common pre-existing conditions have been included on this page. If you have any other pre-existing health conditions, please talk to your GP about them when you have decided to plan your pregnancy.

Asthma and pregnancy

If you have asthma, it's hard to predict whether your asthma symptoms will be any different in pregnancy. Your symptoms may improve, stay the same or get worse.

Congenital heart disease and pregnancy

Around eight in 1,000 babies are born with something wrong with their heart. This can sometimes be called a cardiac abnormality, congenital heart disease or congenital heart defect.

If you were born with a cardiac abnormality and have had a successful operation to correct it, you'll probably have some scarring of the heart. This may make you more prone to infections or an irregular heartbeat.

If you have heart disease you can have a successful pregnancy, but pregnancy puts your heart under significant strain. This can lead to problems, so talk to your doctor before you get pregnant or as soon as you know you're pregnant.

Coronary heart disease and pregnancy

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is when your arteries get narrower due to a build-up of fatty deposits inside them. This restricts the flow of blood and can lead to chest pain, called angina , or a heart attack. Read more about angina by clicking this link to visit the NHS website (opens in new tab).

Your heart needs to work harder in pregnancy so, if you've got heart disease, it's important to get the right care and support.

You can develop heart problems for the first time during your pregnancy.

Diabetes and pregnancy

If you become pregnant and you have diabetes, you should go on to have a healthy baby. But there are some possible complications you should be aware of. The information on this page is relevant for you if you were diagnosed with type 1 or type 2 diabetes before you got pregnant.

It does not cover gestational diabetes, which is high blood sugar that develops during pregnancy and usually goes away after the baby is born.

Epilepsy and pregnancy

If you have epilepsy, you may be nervous about what it means for your pregnancy and baby.

Try not to worry, as it is likely that you will have a healthy pregnancy and go on to have a healthy baby. But there is a slightly higher risk of having a baby with a birth defect or developmental problem, so it's important to get the right support.

Obesity and pregnancy

Being obese when you're pregnant increases the chance of some complications such as gestational diabetes. Make sure you go to all your antenatal appointments so your pregnancy team can monitor the health of you and your baby.

Bariatric surgery

It is not recommended to get pregnant within two years of having bariatric surgery. If you have had bariatric surgery at any point before pregnancy, please make an appointment with your GP who will refer you to the dietetics service.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

Most women with HIV can have a safe and healthy pregnancy and baby with the right treatment.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) damages the immune system, making it harder to fight infections. It can be passed on through blood and other body fluids, for example through sexual contact or infected needles.

There’s no cure for HIV but most people live long, healthy lives with antiretroviral medication. Mothers can pass HIV to their babies during pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding but by following a treatment plan 99% of HIV-infected women will not pass HIV to their babies.