Many factors can put women at risk for having a high risk pregnancy. Once your doctor has advised you that you are in a high risk category, various rules may need to be followed in order to protect your health and the health of the baby.
If you are at high risk before you become pregnant, special precautions and special measures might have to be taken in order to get pregnant in the first place and in order to sustain the pregnancy. Many women who are told they are unable to get pregnant or who have been unsuccessfully trying to conceive for a long time can overcome obstacles and have a successful pregnancy.
Complications are frightening but with care and proper doctor supervision, you can minimize your chances of having problems that will jeopardize your health or the health of your baby. In some situations, no amount of caution or care will make a difference, so if something has gone wrong, don’t blame yourself.
Deciding to Have a High Risk Pregnancy
A high risk pregnancy can be a fact you are ready for before you become pregnant due to issues with your medical status or a pregnancy can become high risk after you’ve become pregnant and test results reveal something that classifies your pregnancy in this way.
Either way, with careful precautions and close medical care, you can have a very happy ending with a happy Mom and healthy and happy newborn baby.
High Risk Factors
There are a lot of factors that can put a woman at risk including her age, previous surgeries and complications from a previous pregnancy. In some cases a doctor will put the woman on bed rest for a large portion of her pregnancy in order to minimize any risks as well as provide a list of rules and precautions in order to minimize that risk.
Multiple Births and Risk
When there is more than one baby, there is additional risk to be aware of. Very few women pregnant with multiples carry to term. The doctor will want you to take precautions to get as close to your due date for delivery as possible. When having multiples or being aware of having a high risk pregnancy, it is wise to read pregnancy books, which are books that are geared specifically to women with risk potential.
Throughout your pregnancy, various tests will likely happen in order to monitor the pregnancy and make sure everything is going according to plan. When certain risks are present you may be advised to abstain from sex or any other vigorous activity and you might have to follow a special diet or get special injections.
You might also need regular testing of your blood pressure, blood sugar, extra ultrasound pictures and other specific tests such as an amniocentesis that will check your health and the progress and health of your unborn child. If preterm labor is a concern, you might need to take medication that will delay labor and help the baby’s lungs to rapidly develop.
Do You Need A High Risk OB?
Some risk factors may require that you see a specialist. This way you can be assured that someone familiar with your circumstances is looking after you and your baby. If you know beforehand that you are likely to have a high risk pregnancy you may choose to start with a specialist up front. If part way through your pregnancy your pregnancy becomes high risk, your doctor may refer you to a specialist that has knowledge in the area of your specific risk factors.
Scheduled Delivery
When a high risk pregnancy happens, at times doctors will want to schedule delivery of the baby either via induction with Pitocin or via Cesarean section. When dangers are present, doctors don’t want to be surprised and unprepared for delivery of the baby so scheduling the birth can help them best prepare for any complications during labor and delivery in order to protect Mom and baby. While your birth plan may not have included these methods, doctors will do what is necessary to protect your health and the health of the baby first and foremost.
