Pregnancy is a deeply personal experience, yet some aspects of it may be influenced by your genes.
From morning sickness to preeclampsia, research shows that certain pregnancy conditions tend to run in families, while others have little or no genetic connection.

Understanding which traits may be hereditary can help you and your healthcare provider plan for a safer, healthier pregnancy.

The Genetic Connection in Pregnancy

Every pregnancy is unique—but your family history can offer clues about how yours might unfold.

If your mother, sister, or grandmother experienced particular complications such as gestational diabetes or preeclampsia, you may have a higher risk as well.

That doesn’t mean these outcomes are inevitable. It simply highlights the importance of early prenatal care, genetic counseling, and regular monitoring throughout pregnancy.

Below are some pregnancy-related conditions that may have a genetic component—and a few that don’t.

Morning Sickness

Most pregnant people experience some level of morning sickness, characterized by nausea or vomiting during the first trimester.

Studies have found that the likelihood of developing morning sickness can be partly genetic.
If your mother or sister experienced severe nausea or vomiting during pregnancy, you might be more prone to it too.

Possible triggers include:

  • Hormonal changes (rising estrogen and hCG)

  • Low blood sugar levels

  • Stress or fatigue

  • Certain strong odors or foods

  • Carrying multiples (twins or triplets)

Although morning sickness is uncomfortable, it’s typically harmless and often resolves by the second trimester.

If nausea becomes severe and leads to dehydration or weight loss, you may have hyperemesis gravidarum, a rare but serious condition that requires medical treatment.

Premature Birth

Roughly 1 in 10 babies in the U.S. is born prematurely—before 37 weeks of pregnancy.

Research suggests that family history matters.
If you were born prematurely or have a mother or sister who delivered early, your risk of preterm labor increases.

Other risk factors include:

  • Uterine or cervical abnormalities

  • Infections during pregnancy

  • Multiple gestation (twins or more)

  • Chronic health issues such as hypertension or diabetes

Because premature birth can lead to complications like breathing difficulties or developmental delays, healthcare providers often recommend closer monitoring and preventive care, including progesterone supplements or cervical length screening, if you have a family history of early delivery.

Perinatal and Postpartum Depression

Perinatal depression (during pregnancy) and postpartum depression (PPD) affect about 1 in 5 people who give birth.

Genetic and environmental factors both play a role.
If depression runs in your family, you may have a higher risk of developing mood changes during or after pregnancy.

Symptoms include:

  • Persistent sadness or hopelessness

  • Intense fatigue

  • Difficulty bonding with your baby

  • Sleep or appetite changes

Having a family history doesn’t mean you’ll definitely experience PPD—it simply means you should be alert to early signs.

Early intervention with therapy, support groups, or medication (when appropriate) can greatly improve recovery and overall well-being.

Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is a potentially serious condition characterized by high blood pressure and swelling during pregnancy, often after 20 weeks.

Studies show that having a mother or sister with preeclampsia nearly triples your risk of developing it yourself.

It occurs due to abnormal blood flow to the placenta, leading to complications for both the parent and baby.

Warning signs include:

  • Severe headaches

  • Swelling of the face, hands, or feet

  • Blurred vision

  • Rapid weight gain

  • Elevated blood pressure readings

If preeclampsia develops, frequent prenatal visits are crucial to track blood pressure and fetal health.
The only definitive treatment is delivering the baby, though medications can manage symptoms before birth.

Because preeclampsia can occur up to six weeks postpartum, new mothers should also monitor for persistent swelling, headaches, or hypertension during recovery.

Gestational Diabetes

About 9% of pregnancies are complicated by gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM)—a temporary form of diabetes caused by hormone-related insulin resistance.

Genetics play a clear role:
People with a family history of type 2 diabetes face a higher risk of developing GDM.

Other contributing factors include:

  • Age 35 or older

  • Body mass index (BMI) > 30

  • Previous pregnancy with GDM or a large baby

  • Sedentary lifestyle or poor diet

When not managed, gestational diabetes can result in:

  • High birth weight (macrosomia)

  • Difficult labor or C-section delivery

  • Increased risk of obesity or diabetes in the child later in life

Regular blood-sugar monitoring, healthy eating, and physical activity help control GDM.
In some cases, medication or insulin therapy is prescribed.

Miscarriages

Miscarriage, or early pregnancy loss, occurs before 20 weeks of gestation and is sadly common.

Most miscarriages result from random chromosomal abnormalities, not inherited disorders.
However, some studies suggest that genetic predisposition may play a role in up to 29% of recurrent miscarriages.

Other risk factors include:

  • Advanced maternal age

  • Hormonal imbalances

  • Uterine or cervical abnormalities

  • Smoking, alcohol, or drug use

If multiple miscarriages occur within the same family, genetic testing and counseling can help identify underlying chromosomal or clotting disorders.

What Pregnancy Conditions Are Not Genetic

While certain complications can run in families, others are determined more by environmental, behavioral, or situational factors.

Below are common examples of pregnancy-related experiences that are not hereditary.

Cesarean Delivery (C-Section)

A C-section involves delivering the baby surgically through incisions in the abdomen and uterus.

Some people assume they’ll need a C-section because their mother did—but that’s a misconception.

C-sections depend on individual factors, including:

  • Baby’s position or size

  • Placenta placement

  • Labor progression

  • Medical conditions like preeclampsia or fetal distress

Your pelvic size or shape rarely determines whether you can deliver vaginally, so your mother’s delivery method doesn’t predict your own.

Weight Gain During Pregnancy

How much weight you gain depends more on diet, exercise, metabolism, and pre-pregnancy BMI than on genetics.

Healthy weight gain typically ranges from:

  • 25–35 pounds for those with normal BMI

  • 15–25 pounds for those overweight

  • 11–20 pounds for those with obesity

Rather than comparing yourself to your mother or sister, focus on balanced nutrition, hydration, and regular physical activity approved by your healthcare provider.

Duration of Labor

Labor length is shaped by many variables, such as:

  • Age and physical condition

  • Baby’s size and position

  • Strength and timing of contractions

  • Medical interventions (like induction or epidural use)

While it’s natural to wonder if you’ll have a “quick birth” like your mom or a “long labor” like your aunt, there’s no genetic pattern governing how long labor lasts.

Practicing breathing techniques, staying mobile, and having emotional support during delivery can help improve the birth experience—no matter how long it takes.

Using Family History To Guide Your Pregnancy

Family history offers valuable insight into potential pregnancy risks, but genetics is only one piece of the puzzle.

If you know certain complications occurred in your family, share that information with your OB-GYN or midwife early in your pregnancy.

Your provider might recommend:

  • Genetic counseling before conception or during early pregnancy

  • Targeted screenings, such as glucose tolerance tests or blood-pressure monitoring

  • Lifestyle changes (balanced diet, stress management, prenatal vitamins)

  • More frequent prenatal visits if risk factors are present

These proactive steps can significantly reduce the likelihood of complications and support a healthy pregnancy outcome.

A Quick Review

Some pregnancy conditions—like morning sickness, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and premature birth—have genetic links that can be passed down through families.

Others, such as C-sections, weight gain, or labor duration, are influenced more by personal lifestyle and medical factors than by DNA.

Knowing your family’s pregnancy history helps your healthcare provider anticipate risks, monitor your health more closely, and ensure both you and your baby stay safe throughout pregnancy and beyond.