The Signs of High-Risk Pregnancy Cases
Pregnancy is both a fulfilling and daunting journey for mothers. It is a mixture of excitement and anxiety—visualising all the things that will come their way. That is why mothers need to have professionals like doctors, nurses, and board certified lactation consultant to guide them and provide the necessary help to ensure that they have a healthy pregnancy and breastfeeding journey. In Australia, women have access to both public and/or private care. It is important to commence appropriate antenatal care to either rule out risks or put strategies in place to deal with any risks identified. Parents should also take the essential steps to keep themselves and their babies safe.
What Is a High-Risk Pregnancy?
As you probably know, pregnancy can entail risks. But for some people, it may come with higher levels of health concerns, thus, the need for extra care before, during, and after giving birth.
However, it is also important to bear in mind that being at a higher risk while pregnant doesn’t automatically mean that you or your unborn baby will encounter any problems. Proper intervention and tender loving care give mothers higher chances of transforming high-risk pregnancies into healthy ones followed by normal labour and delivery.
However, it is also important to bear in mind that being at a higher risk while pregnant doesn’t automatically mean that you or your unborn baby will encounter any problems. Proper intervention and tender loving care give mothers higher chances of transforming high-risk pregnancies into healthy ones followed by normal labour and delivery.
Factors Affecting Your Safety
The state of every mother’s pregnancy heavily lies in their lifestyle and health condition at conception. Here are some of the factors that may cause high-risk pregnancy:
1. Preexisting Medical Conditions: This includes autoimmune diseases, diabetes, high blood pressure, HIV/AIDS, kidney diseases, obesity, thyroid diseases, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and blood clotting disorders.
2. Complications Related to Pregnancy: Some women face other health issues or complications in their journey to motherhood. Some examples are unusual placenta position, iron deficiency anaemia, gestational diabetes, infections, and fetal problems.
3. Lifestyle Choices: Exposure to toxins, smoking (including secondhand smoke), drug addiction, and alcohol abuse can put a pregnant woman and her baby at risk.
4. Age: Women who are pregnant for the first time at 35 years and over, should be extra careful because they are more likely to encounter pregnancy complications. On another note, pregnancies under 17 may also be risky.
5. Multiple Pregnancy: If you are expecting to have twins, triplets, and so on, your doctor or midwife will advise you if there are any risks you should be aware of. You may like to think about consulting an IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant) before delivery, this will prepare you for breastfeeding multiples!
1. Preexisting Medical Conditions: This includes autoimmune diseases, diabetes, high blood pressure, HIV/AIDS, kidney diseases, obesity, thyroid diseases, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and blood clotting disorders.
2. Complications Related to Pregnancy: Some women face other health issues or complications in their journey to motherhood. Some examples are unusual placenta position, iron deficiency anaemia, gestational diabetes, infections, and fetal problems.
3. Lifestyle Choices: Exposure to toxins, smoking (including secondhand smoke), drug addiction, and alcohol abuse can put a pregnant woman and her baby at risk.
4. Age: Women who are pregnant for the first time at 35 years and over, should be extra careful because they are more likely to encounter pregnancy complications. On another note, pregnancies under 17 may also be risky.
5. Multiple Pregnancy: If you are expecting to have twins, triplets, and so on, your doctor or midwife will advise you if there are any risks you should be aware of. You may like to think about consulting an IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant) before delivery, this will prepare you for breastfeeding multiples!
Signs and Symptoms of High-Risk Pregnancy
The common symptoms of high-risk pregnancy are as follows: • Vaginal bleeding • Watery vaginal discharge • Persistent abdominal pain or cramping • Chest pain • Dizziness • Decreased fetal activity • Difficulties urinating due to pain • Vomiting that is worse than morning sickness • Fevers or chills • Severe headache • Trouble breathing • Swelling, redness, or pain in the face or limbs • Extreme fatigue
When experiencing these symptoms during pregnancy, consult your doctor immediately to manage these conditions and decrease the risk. Also, remember that being pregnant has its ups and downs, so do your best and try to stay positive while finding ways to be healthier. If you feel sad or anxious and it is starting to interfere with your daily life, please speak with your doctor or midwife. There is help available.
When experiencing these symptoms during pregnancy, consult your doctor immediately to manage these conditions and decrease the risk. Also, remember that being pregnant has its ups and downs, so do your best and try to stay positive while finding ways to be healthier. If you feel sad or anxious and it is starting to interfere with your daily life, please speak with your doctor or midwife. There is help available.
Managing High-Risk Pregnancy
Having a riskier than usual state of pregnancy doesn’t mean that it stays like that. Of course, there are steps you can take to manage the situation. So, whether or not you know ahead of time that you have a high-risk pregnancy, it is crucial to stick to the basics, such as:
1. Having a Preconception Appointment
If you are planning to have a baby, consulting a medical expert before your pregnancy is crucial in keeping you and your baby safe and healthy. These healthcare professionals will provide you with the advice you need and prescribe you vitamins to have a healthy body when you’re pregnant.
2. Seeking Prenatal Care
Prenatal visits enable doctors to provide close maternal-fetal monitoring. By checking both your and your baby’s health regularly, they can help you take the necessary steps to a safe delivery. Your doctor or midwife will arrange for any scans or blood tests that may be required.
3. Getting Breastfeeding Support Services
Now, let’s think about the future. Your baby will need nourishment. If you have had a high-risk pregnancy, you will probably want your baby to receive all the benefits of breastmilk. A lactation consultant can help prepare you for breastfeeding and provide support once your baby arrives. From positioning and attachment, or supply concerns, your lactation consultant will be there to support you through the early weeks of motherhood. An appointment with an IBCLC at around 36 weeks gestation will help prepare you for the initial breastfeeds and provide you with information if things don’t go exactly to plan.
4. Avoiding Risky Substances
As previously mentioned, unhealthy lifestyle choices can take a toll on your overall pregnancy journey. For this reason, you should avoid harmful substances like smoke, alcohol, and drugs. Some foods can put your baby at risk, your midwife will provide you with this information at your antenatal visit. Make sure you take the medications or supplements prescribed by your healthcare provider, some of these vitamins are known to decrease the risk of some congenital conditions for your baby.
Have a Healthy Pregnancy Journey with Suckle and Snooze!
Your journey towards motherhood is an exciting time. When it comes to breastfeeding, Suckle and Snooze will help you have a stress-free journey before and after giving birth. Our board-certified lactation consultant will help you with one of the most important aspects of having a baby—breastfeeding. Call us now on 0433399643 for more details.