KTVN Channel 2 - Reno Tahoe News Weather, Video - Pregnancy Complications

Laura Leigh Davidson delivered her son Oliver earlier than expected. "I was diagnosed with high blood pressure, preeclampsia toward the very end."

She had a C-section at 37 weeks because doctors were concerned about how her condition could affect her and the baby. "It was very scary because everything is out of your hands and everything you can do can cause a spike in the blood pressure."

Now a new study finds the complications Davidson developed during her pregnancy could be a predictor of her risk for cardiovascular disease in the future. "If you've had a medical complication, specifically preeclampsia which is high blood pressure in pregnancy or diabetes it may mean that you will develop problems later on in life," says Dr. Jacques Moritz of Roosevelt Hospital.

British researchers looked at 3,400 women with pregnancy complications. They found preeclampsia was associated with a 31% increased risk for heart disease and diabetes during pregnancy carried a 26% increased risk.

Researchers hope their results will push women to make lifestyle changes to reduce their risk, and to see their doctors regularly. "View what happened in pregnancy as kind of a dip stick.. that you know that you're at higher risk and you may be able to prevent it," says Dr. Moritz.

That's how Davidson is looking at it. She's planning to eat right and exercise to keep her heart healthy. "It just makes me think very carefully about the decisions I have to make for my own health so that I can be around for him."

She also still needs to keep taking medication to keep her blood pressure in check for now.