Were you an early arrival? If so, you may encounter some difficulties during your pregnancy. A new study suggests that pregnancy complications are more common among women who were born early themselves.

In the study, published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, researchers analyzed data on women born between 1976 and 1995 who delivered at least one baby between 1987 and 2008. The study included 7,405 women who’d been born preterm and 16,714 women who’d been born at term. They found that the earlier a woman had been born, the greater her chances of having a complication during pregnancy, such as such as gestational diabetes or high blood pressure.

According to the study, 19.9 percent of women who were born before 32 weeks of pregnancy had at least one complication, while 13.2 percent of women born between 32 and 36 weeks of pregnancy, and 11.7 percent of women who were born at full-term (at least 37 weeks), experienced a complication during their pregnancy.

Although the researchers have yet to find a direct connection between preterm birth and pregnancy complications, they believe it lies in undiagnosed risk factors these women have had since birth. For example, studies have shown that children and young adults born preterm are more likely to have higher blood pressure, a risk factor for pregnancy complications.

Were you a preterm baby? Did you experience any complications during pregnancy?

Plus, more from The Bump:

Avoiding Preterm Labor

Who Is At Risk for Preterm Labor?

Severe Morning Sickness May Cause Preterm Labor

Expectant moms can become impatient during the nine month wait to meet their newborn, but imagine if you spent twenty-six weeks (that’s 182 days!) of your pregnancy on bed rest. That’s what happened to Stephanie Johnson in late 2010 when her doctor ordered immediate and prolonged bed rest after complications with her first pregnancy. “My life stopped when everyone else’s continued,” said Johnson in a recent interview with Bethenny Frankel. That left her  brainstorming proactive solutions for other pregnant women in similar circumstances.

Enter Bed Rest Concierge. A mere three months after giving birth to her daughter Harlow in March of 2011, Stephanie started her business — a resource for resting moms in need of motivation and support. The focus, she claims, is to help women “have a beautiful and joyful pregnancy while preparing for their new arrival.”

Johnson and her team offer a variety of pre-delivery services including nursery design, baby shower planning and laundry service. (A mobile pampering team can come to you to give you a pedicure!) That’s just the beginning. Post-delivery services include mommy-and-me activities, errands and childcare referrals. And if cooking isn’t your thing, Bed Rest Concierge can even teach you how to make your own baby food.

We love that Stephanie had the guts to start a business so soon after having her first child! Plus, the Bed Rest Concierge team is sure to make life a little bit easier for expecting moms. We even hear they deliver late night ice cream!

What was your bed rest experience like? Would you use a bed rest concierge?

Plus, more from The Bump:

Bored With Bed Rest?

Trouble Sleeping? These Tips Will Help.

How To Reduce Those Pregnancy Aches and Pains

You’ve probably read everywhere (and heard from your OB) that omega-3 fatty acids are important during pregnancy. And some previous research showed that fish oil improves blood sugar control and vascular health fish oils causing some to believe they could help with gestational diabetes and preeclampsia, too. Not so much, according to a new study.

In the study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2,400 pregnancies were analyzed over a period of about two and a half years. The pregnant women received three capsules of omega-3 supplements or a blend of three vegetable oils as supplements each day. It was found that eight percent of the women developed gestational diabetes and five percent had preeclampsia. For the women who took the omega-3 capsules, there was a three percent lower risk of gestational diabetes and 13 percent lower risk of preeclampsia than the women who took the vegetable oil pills. Although there was a lower incidence of these complications for the women who took fish oil, researchers say that the outcomes are not statistically significant and could have happened by chance.

But there’s no reason to stop taking fish oil supplements — in fact, they’re still recommended. Researchers found that omega-3s reduced birth complications and preterm births. Also, if taken earlier in pregnancy, fish oil might benefit mom. The women in the study started taking the fish oil after they were 20 weeks pregnant.

What do you think of this study? Do you take fish oil supplements?

Plus, more from The Bump:

When Should I Take My Prenatal Vitamin?

How to Choose a Prenatal Vitamin

Pregnancy Conditions — What to Do