A positive pregnancy test result can launch a range of emotions.

Happiness. Excitement. Fear. Worry.

These emotions spark many women to reach out to their healthcare provider to schedule their first prenatal appointment.

But in the Hispanic community, that first prenatal visit may not happen until a few months before the baby's due date.

According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Hispanic mothers were 70% as likely to receive late or no prenatal care compared to non-Hispanic white mothers.

Central and South American mothers were twice as likely to receive late or no prenatal care than non-Hispanic white mothers.

One study shows the most common reason for this is because they didn’t realize they were pregnant until later. Other reasons include not having health insurance, not feeling prenatal care was necessary and not being confident the pregnancy would last.

Prenatal care is important because it can help keep you and your baby healthy. Babies of mothers who don’t get prenatal care are three times more likely to have a low birth weight.

According to the CDC, low weight and preterm birth accounted for about 17% of infant deaths.

Babies who do survive may have:

• Breathing, hearing or vision problems
• Cerebral palsy
• Developmental delays
• Feeding difficulties

Healthcare providers who see mothers regularly can spot health problems early so they don’t get worse later.

It’s also important for Hispanic mothers to advocate for their health and safety. Knowing the early warning signs of conditions that could cause problems will help ensure you stay ahead of the game when it comes to your health.

Here are three conditions to look out for.

1. Gestational diabetes

Gestational diabetes often affects pregnant Hispanic women.

For some women, gestational diabetes can lead to pregnancy complications like high blood pressure. There is also an increased risk of developing prediabetes and type 2 diabetes after giving birth.

What to look for: Gestational diabetes doesn’t typically cause any symptoms, so it’s crucial that you get prenatal care so your healthcare provider can monitor your blood sugar.

They will be able to catch any issues before they turn into serious health problems.

If symptoms of high blood sugar levels occur, they can include: 

• Blurred vision
• Frequent urination
• Increased hunger and thirst
• Nausea and vomiting
• Weight loss despite increased hunger

2. High blood pressure (hypertension)

 According to a study mentioned in the “Journal of Global Initiatives: Policy, Pedagogy, Perspective,” Hispanic women who received no prenatal care had a higher risk of pregnancy-related deaths. The study also shows that gestational hypertension was the leading cause of pregnancy-related deaths.

Hypertension can harm the mother’s heart, kidneys and other organs. It can also result in a low birth weight for the baby and early delivery.

What to look for: Much like gestational diabetes, high blood pressure typically doesn’t have noticeable symptoms. That’s why it’s important to see your healthcare provider for prenatal care.

They can monitor your blood pressure and catch any spikes. If you’re having difficulties getting to scheduled appointments because you can’t get time off from work or don’t have transportation, discuss this with your provider.

They can help come up with a plan that may include monitoring your blood pressure at home.

3. Postpartum depression

 Hispanics suffer from higher rates of depression and are less likely to seek treatment for mental illness than non-Hispanic whites, according to a report by the Albert Einstein School of Medicine.

When it comes to postpartum depression, Hispanic women tend not to seek help. One study shows only 5% of Hispanic women seek postpartum mental health care compared to 9% of white, non-Hispanic women.

If you’re suffering from postpartum depression, seeking treatment will likely help you to feel better, and therefore help you to be there for your child. Schedule an appointment to see your healthcare provider who can get you the help you need.

What to look for: Symptoms of postpartum depression include:

• Breathing, hearing or vision problems
• Cerebral palsy
• Developmental delays
• Feeding difficulties

Keep in mind that you don’t have to be experiencing any of these symptoms to justify getting help. Some feelings you may be having could be a symptom of another condition.

If you're feeling overly worried after giving birth, you could be suffering from postpartum anxiety.

If you need a healthcare provider, you can find one near you using Tanner's Find a Provider tool.

Visit Tanner's Health Library to learn more about maternal deaths and how differences in health care affect minority communities.