Most women experience typical, trouble-free full-term pregnancies. However, 8% or more of pregnancies are regarded as high-risk. A pregnancy is considered high-risk when there is a risk to the mother’s or the unborn child’s health at any stage of pregnancy, labor, or delivery. Being pregnant with a high-risk baby can be frightening and worrisome. Fortunately, Dr Torres OBGYN offers the best high-risk pregnancy care.

 Here are tips to help you reduce complications during a high-risk pregnancy.

1.   Know the typical causes of high-risk pregnancies

Complications from a high-risk pregnancy might endanger the mother’s or the unborn child’s health. Complications during pregnancy are more likely to occur in women over the age of 35. Additionally, there is often a larger risk for women expecting multiples, such as twins or triplets.

While certain risk factors, such as maternal age, are present from conception onward, other issues might arise throughout the process. A kind of diabetes that appears during pregnancy is known as gestational diabetes. Other abnormalities that may result in high-risk consequences

 include preeclampsia, placenta previa, and abnormal fetal development.

During your prenatal visits, your doctor will assess your specific risk factors to help you take good care of yourself and your unborn child. If you exhibit any of these symptoms, your doctor can create a treatment plan to lower your risk of developing further difficulties or having a  preterm birth.

2.   Manage your existing conditions

Your pre-pregnancy health has an impact on your pregnancy’s wellness. It may be more probable for you to suffer difficulties during pregnancy if you have a persistent medical condition, such as diabetes.

Typical conditions that might increase your risk of pregnancy problems include:

• Diabetes
• Obesity
• High blood pressure
• Heart disease
• Sexually transmitted diseases 

You can lower your risk of difficulties by making efforts to address any existing medical issues, both before and throughout pregnancy. Getting to a healthy weight before becoming pregnant will lower your chances of preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and stillbirth if you are overweight.

If required, your doctor can assist you in finding pregnancy-safe drugs and changes to your way of life that will help you manage common illnesses and have a healthy pregnancy and safe delivery.

3.   Attend every prenatal appointment

All pregnant women should schedule prenatal visits, but those with high-risk pregnancies may require more monitoring and specialist tests. Your prenatal sessions are customized to your requirements to prepare you for a safe birth.

Regular checkups enable your doctor to monitor your development and spot any potential problems, such as gestational diabetes or preeclampsia, as soon as possible. 

4.   Eat healthily

Eating healthy food is crucial if you have a high-risk pregnancy. It can be quite problematic if you overeat while pregnant and gain weight, especially if you already have diabetes or are obese. Consume lots of fruits, veggies, vegetables, lean meats, and healthy grains while avoiding processed or excessively sugary meals. Try properly prepared fish once a week that is rich in vitamins, minerals, omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, and iron.

5.   Address mental health issues

Studies show that women who experience obstetric pregnancy problems are more likely to experience depression. It is important to manage any negative feelings and understand that experiencing a wide range of emotions is common.

Ask your OB/GYN to recommend a mental health professional if you exhibit these symptoms or if they prevent you from carrying out routine tasks.

Call Suncoast Women’s Care to book your appointment and learn how to take care of a high-risk pregnancy.