Ways to Manage High Risk Pregnancy

What Defines a High Risk Pregnancy

Usually, a high risk pregnancy is defined as a pregnancy where the mother has an existing issue when she becomes pregnant, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or heart issues. However, high risk is variable. For example, some health care providers consider being overweight, asthmatic, or having a previous high risk pregnancy as a current high risk.

Other reasons you might possibly fall into a high risk pregnancy category include:

• Carrying multiples
• Previous C-sections (Cesarean sections)
• Previous miscarriages – usually more than one
• Under the age of 17 years or over the age of 35

You can also start a pregnancy just fine but develop into a high risk category. If you develop an issue such as gestational diabetes or high blood pressure, your status can change. Your pregnancy status can also change if you develop not a condition, but show symptoms like ongoing early miscarriage symptoms, a baby fails a stress test, or you’re experiencing very early preterm labor symptoms.

Ways to Manage High Risk Pregnancy are Condition Dependent

There is no one way to manage a high risk pregnancy because it’s very condition dependent. Some typical ways to manage high risk pregnancy include:

Numerous tests and prenatal appointments: Part of managing a high risk pregnancy is staying on top of the issue. No matter your risk factors, you can expect to be seeing your care provider much more than you might if you’re experiencing a typical pregnancy. You also may be subjected to more tests and monitoring.

You may have a cesarean birth: In many high risk pregnancies, one way to lower risks to both mother and baby is to have a planned cesarean birth. Of course, this depends on your condition.

Medication: Sometimes a high risk pregnancy requires medication. Medications do cross the placenta and almost no medications have been proven 100 percent safe in relation to fetal development. The only reason a reputable health care provider will advise that you take medications during pregnancy is if the risk of not taking the medication outweighs the potential risks to the baby’s well-being, so if you’re prescribed medications you do need to take them.

Bed rest: Bed rest varies. Some women may be advised to stay resting in bed for the remainder of a pregnancy, others simply until a risk factor has lessened or passed (like bleeding). Some women are advised to take it very easy and others are actually confined to a bed.

Hospitalization: If you have a very serious or dangerous high risk pregnancy, you may end up having a hospital stay. Some women do spend a lot of time in the hospital before they give birth.

Tips about High Risk Pregnancy Management

While there are many ways to manage high risk pregnancy, your health care provider will try to make it as easy for you as possible. That said, you may still become frustrated or have problems. Here are some tips.

It’s your right to get a second opinion: If you don’t trust your health care provider’s thoughts about your condition and the management of the condition, you can always get a second opinion.

Follow the rules: If you trust your care provider’s opinion, you do need to follow the rules they set up as management tools. For example, when a health care provider says you stay in bed except for bathroom use, you stay in bed. If you’re not supposed to add salt to your food, then don’t. If you disagree with a care provider’s diagnosis, not following the management tips is not the way to rebel. You could seriously hurt yourself and/or your baby.

You’re not alone: Many women feel guilt, inadequacy, resentment, fear, helplessness, pressure, and more. You’re not the only woman to feel like this about a high risk pregnancy. A high risk pregnancy can create emotional, financial, and even marital strain. To get help and support, talk to your partner and care provider about your feelings. If you’d like to talk to other mothers experiencing a high risk pregnancy try one of the following forum:

• INCIID HIgh Risk Pregnancy Support Forum
• Fertile Thoughts
• Pregnancy Complications/High Risk forums at the SheKnows Message Boards