For many High Desert women, finding out that they are expecting is an exciting and wonderful occasion. However, for those in Apple Valley who are experiencing a high-risk pregnancy, those same joys can be filled with a lot of fears and unknowns about the next nine months.
What Preexisting Conditions Can Result in a High-Risk Pregnancy?
Your health history plays a large role in determining if your pregnancy is high-risk or not. Some of these preexisting factors will lead a doctor to consider a woman’s pregnancy as high-risk:
- High blood pressure
- Cancer
- Heart disease
- Fertility issues
- Being under the age of 18
- Being over the age of 35
Your doctor will discuss your personal health history with you and help you understand what the best steps are as you move forward in your pregnancy and prenatal care plan.
What Conditions Can Develop During Pregnancy that Lead it to being Considered High-Risk?
In some cases, a perfectly healthy woman develops a high-risk pregnancy along the way. Certain situations can arise that can raise red flags with the gynecologist and will result in additional monitoring for the rest of the pregnancy. Some of those conditions include:
- Gestational diabetes
- Placenta previa
- Preeclampsia
- Preterm labor
In some cases, women who develop one or more of these conditions will not only see their primary OBGYN but will also visit a specialist in order to be sure that she and her baby get the best care available during pregnancy.
What are Some Tips for Women Who are Coping with a High-Risk Pregnancy?
Naturally, a high-risk pregnancy is a stressful situation. However, women should still take the time to enjoy this special moment in their lives. Getting the proper information about your condition and talking with your doctor about things you can do to help will allow you to ease the stress of the unknown.
Eating healthy is one of the most important things you can do during pregnancy, especially if your pregnancy is considered high-risk. Most importantly, make sure to schedule regular doctor’s appointments and keep all appointments that you set up with your OBGYN.
Prenatal care is essential for any woman who is pregnant, but it’s especially important for women who are considered high-risk. Working with a caring and professional obstetrics and gynecology expert can help you through the process, as this type of doctor will not only monitor your pregnancy as necessary but also provide you with information and resources throughout the entire process.
It can be a stressful time if your gynecologist tells you that you have a high-risk pregnancy, but remember that these first 9 months of parenthood are only the beginning. The extra monitoring and care during this time period will be well worth it when you get to hold your new child in your arms.
