Is a difficult pregnancy or delivery more likely than an uneventful one to prompt postpartum complications?

Yes — but anyone can develop a medical complication after childbearing, even someone who had a smooth and easy pregnancy.

Some medical conditions that emerge during pregnancy, like hypertensive disorders and diabetes, may increase the risks during the postpartum period, and require close follow-up and monitoring. Women with hypertension or a family history of it may want to have a cuff at home to track their blood pressure, or to use a remote blood pressure monitoring program.

Certain birth outcomes also raise red flags. Cesarean sections may lead to infections and potentially life-threatening blood clots. Having a preterm birth, or having a baby who is small for his or her gestational age, should prompt close monitoring of the mother’s health in addition to the baby’s.

A traumatic birthing experience may lead to depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder, said Katayune Kaeni, a psychologist. All women should be screened for depression during their postpartum checkups.

Are there precautions I can take to lessen my risk?

If you are not pregnant and are planning a pregnancy, schedule a preconception visit with your doctor and your partner, if you have one (that person’s medical history may also be significant).

“Optimize your health prior to pregnancy, with heart-healthy nutrition, fitness, cancer screenings and immunizations,” Dr. Franklin said. “Optimize chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease, and understand your family history and your own risk factors.”

Once you are pregnant, start prenatal care early and don’t skip appointments.

After childbirth, make sure to go back to your OB-GYN or midwife for checkups, preferably within the first two to three weeks after being discharged from the hospital. If you had difficulty during your pregnancy, or you have underlying conditions like hypertension, diabetes or obesity, talk to your provider about an earlier check-in, more frequent calls or visits and transitioning to doctors who can manage your postnatal care.