Diagnosed with High-Risk Pregnancy? 6 Tips to Manage it Safely and Avoid Complications
Few experiences in life come close to that of having a life grow inside of you. Every woman dreams of being a mother one day.
When that moment finally arrives, it can be shocking to know that the pregnancy itself is categorized as high-risk.
It’s natural to feel a range of unpleasant emotions, including fear, anger, and guilt.
An important thing to remember is that there is no such thing as a zero-risk pregnancy, as stated by the Fetal Care Center Dallas.
All pregnancies come with certain risks to both the mother and the baby.
According to Yale Medicine, a high-risk pregnancy is one where the fetus or mother has a higher-than-normal chance of experiencing complications.
Risk factors include chronically high blood pressure, diabetes, and organ transplant.
Even in such a condition, all is not lost since most mothers with high-risk pregnancies can give birth to healthy children safely.
In this article, we will discuss six useful tips to manage a high-risk pregnancy safely and avoid complications.
Get to Know All About It
In the intro, we mentioned three of the most serious risk factors associated with high-risk pregnancies. There can be many others, like maternal age, placenta previa, and previous miscarriages.
Start by gathering detailed, reliable information on which factor contributes to your condition. For those who are yet to be pregnant and suspect any risks, it is best to schedule an appointment with a preconception counselor.
Since you’ve already been diagnosed with a high-risk pregnancy, keep all communication lines open with physicians and nurses. Maintain a notebook to list down your ongoing concerns and queries.
Ask them promptly and your healthcare team will be happy to help. In case you decide to conduct online research, stick to only credible sources and patent education pages.
Examples include those by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and The Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine.
Listen to Your Healthcare Providers
We have already discussed the importance of having an open line of communication with the healthcare team. That alone will not ensure a safe pregnancy, labor, and delivery. It is important to work together on a solid care plan and follow through with it.
The healthcare team usually comprises a specialized perinatologist along with other specialists like genetic counselors, ultrasound technicians, and clinical nurse specialists. \
The latter is usually responsible for extending preventive health and therapeutic services.
Having pursued advanced courses like Doctor of Nursing is a good idea as these professionals are trained to handle high-risk pregnancy cases.
For someone looking to become a DNP neonatal nurse, colleges offer online options as well.
According to Baylor University, the nurses will provide evidence-based care for the said population’s health and clinical prevention.
Let’s look in detail at the key ways neonatal nurses would assist during high-risk pregnancies:
- They will be present in the delivery room to assess the situation and stabilize newborns quickly
- They will perform the required resuscitation techniques, such as chest compression and airway management if required
- The nurse will transfer a high-risk newborn to a neonatal care unit to address any complications
- The newborn and the mother will be administered the necessary medication to stay stable
- The nurse will utilize specialized equipment to monitor vital signs and oxygen saturation levels
- The nurse may help manage chronic lifestyle health conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and obesity
- The woman may learn of risk reduction strategies for a healthy pregnancy
Prioritize Self-Care
At any cost, do not underestimate your body’s power to provide accurate cues.
The human body is a wise design and will communicate in case of abnormalities. Stay in tune with your body, listen to it, and prioritize self-care.
This means you must eat a healthy diet, exercise safely, and get adequate sleep during the night.
According to the American Pregnancy Association, every mother must include a variety of food groups in her diet during pregnancy.
This would include fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and moderate dairy products for calcium. Most of the required daily intake for nutrients must come through the diet.
However, you may also take a physician-prescribed prenatal vitamin to fill any nutritional gaps.
Similarly, it’s good for the mother to participate in some form of daily exercise like squats, walking, prenatal yoga, or pelvic floor exercises.
As for sleep, pregnant women indeed have it tougher than their non-pregnant counterparts.
Still, at least 7 to 9 hours of daily rest is vital to avoid complications.
Studies have discovered that expecting mothers receiving less than 7 hours of sleep a night may give birth to children with developmental issues. Nothing is worth losing your sleep over.
Address Any Mental Health Concerns
Did you know that prenatal depression is a common problem, even among low-risk pregnancies?
The same only tends to increase in the case of high-risk pregnancies. A part of it is due to the legitimate stress that the diagnosis brings.
This is why it is important to address any such mental health concerns and maintain a positive mindset throughout. See a counselor periodically if you find it too difficult to manage your emotions.
Don’t let your situation define you because, as stated earlier, a high-risk pregnancy points toward the need for specialized care.
It does not mean you cannot give birth safely or have a healthy baby. Many women struggle with blaming themselves for their condition, but you must let go of the guilt. Just do your best to reduce stress and rely on your support system.
Have a Support System in Place
That brings us to the next point—you need to have a strong support network in place. Your skilled healthcare team is a part of it.
However, this point emphasizes the importance of surrounding yourself with friends and family.
Your diagnosis may lead to certain lifestyle changes that affect your obligations and commitments. Let your loved ones know everything so they can offer their helping hand whenever needed.
Most importantly, do not hesitate to ask for help when required.
You can also consider joining a high-risk pregnancy support group. It will become a safe space for you to express your concerns and feelings.
Avoid All Harmful Substances
A part of prioritizing self-care is avoiding all toxic substances for your body. This deserves a separate mention, given how destructive the outcome can be for you and your baby.
Substances like tobacco, alcohol, and even too much caffeine are not recommended, even in low-risk cases. They are a complete no for those diagnosed with a high-risk pregnancy.
Additionally, certain medications, when consumed without a prescription, can lead to birth defects.
So, stay away from all the harmful substances and consume only those medicines prescribed by your healthcare provider.
The tips discussed in this article should help you avoid complications and birth safely. However, it is still important to know the warning signs for timely medical intervention.
Some of the common complications in high-risk pregnancies that demand immediate medical attention include heavy bleeding, reduced fetal movements, swollen hands and legs, and extreme abdominal pain.
Get in touch with your obstetrician as soon as possible if you experience any of these symptoms.
The pregnancy, labor, and delivery journey is often unique for every woman, even with each child.
This is one thing in life where you must expect the unexpected. While you do so, stay prepared and have a positive mindset.