7 tips to manage high-risk pregnancy

About 4% to 17% of couples in India experience infertility in one form or another, according to the WHO. We offer here some common pregnancy problems and solutions for women with high-risk pregnancies. Such pregnancies need specialized care and attention. Read on to find out how they are different and tips in the management of high-risk pregnancy

Table of Contents

Feel free to skip ahead if one topic catches your eye:

Educate Yourself
Closely Monitor your Health
Healthy Diet, Healthy Pregnancy
Don’t Ignore Your Mental Health
Surround yourself with your Loved ones
Know About the Best Exercise During High-Risk Pregnancy
Schedule Regular Check-ups

Takeaway

The following can help you with the management of high-risk pregnancy

1. Educate yourself

In order to know about high-risk pregnancy management, it is important to be aware and informed about :

What makes your pregnancy high risk
The importance of eating a healthy diet
How to maintain a healthy lifestyle throughout the pregnancy
How to maintain a healthy lifestyle throughout the pregnancyHow to maintain a healthy lifestyle throughout the pregnancyHow to maintain a healthy lifestyle throughout the pregnancy
Know relevant information related to your risk condition
Stay mindful of the risks of your pregnancy

2. Closely monitor your health

This is an important part of high-risk pregnancy management. Some tips to deal with common conditions such as hypertension, gestational diabetes, and heart diseases are given below.

Hypertension

Reduce salt intake
Drink plenty of water
Take a balanced diet regularly
Avoid processed foods
Include plenty of fruits and vegetables
Do regular exercise
Monitor your BP regularly

Gestational Diabetes

Avoid increase in weight gain during pregnancy
Sleep well and try to get some extra sleep during the day
Take plenty of fruits and vegetables
Reduce portion size
Compose your meals with about ⅓ carbohydrates, ⅔ proteins, and fats
Eliminate saturated fats from your diet
Keep a check on blood sugar levels

Heart Diseases

Avoid increase in weight gain during pregnancy
Sleep well and try to get some extra sleep during the day
Take plenty of fruits and vegetables
Do some form of physical activity such as walking
Avoid canned and processed foods
Include fiber-rich foods in your diet

High-risk pregnancy treatment will help in preventing further risks and complications during labor and delivery.

3. Healthy diet, healthy pregnancy

During the term of pregnancy, the woman needs extra calories during the second and third trimesters only ( about 450 more calories ). But extra nutrition is needed from day one. You must realize that a healthy diet translates into a healthy pregnancy and is critical for the management of high-risk pregnancy.

Depending upon your high-risk pregnancy, you may need to avoid certain foods. Apart from that, as a general rule, you must always:

Include a variety of fruits and vegetables on your plate
Make it a point to avoid sugary, salty, and processed foods
Nuts and seeds are rich in polyunsaturated fats that are important for the growth of the baby
Diet management is important for effective high risk pregnancy treatment
Fresh vegetables are a good source of vitamins and minerals. Vitamins A, B complex, D, E, C, etc are vital for the growth and development of the baby
Vitamins and minerals such as folic acid prevent certain birth defects of the spine such as spina bifida.
Nuts such as walnuts, flax seeds, sunflower seeds, etc are rich in good fats that are essential for the baby’s development
Fruits such as oranges, gooseberry, etc contain the much-needed Vitamin C that maintain immunity levels and helps to absorb the iron in the body
Vitamins A, B12, and D are important for the mother’s body to prepare for breast milk production and also help with recovery following the delivery
High-risk pregnancy treatment in women where weight gain can be a negative influence is through diet modification
Dates are an abundant source of iron and prevent anemia
Mangoes are a wonderful source of Vitamin A and help to prevent low immunity and the risk of respiratory infections in the newborn
Dr. Preeti Singh, one of the best gynecologists in Noida can guide you through the right plan for you
Fruits such as banana and guava are good sources of potassium, Vitamin B6, and fiber. These nutrients help to relax the muscles, help in digestion and prevent constipation
Fish such as salmon, catfish, tilapia, etc provide Vitamin A and essential fatty acids that are important for the growth and development
Drink plenty of water, stay hydrated to support the body’s normal functioning

4. Don’t ignore your mental health

Mental health plays a vital role in the management of a high risk pregnancy.

Make time to do something that you truly enjoy. These can include knitting, playing an instrument, painting, etc. This will help you relax and prevent hormonal imbalances and negative physical changes that come with stress
Stick to realistic expectations
Talk openly with a friend or family member to avoid emotional build-up
Do not hesitate to ask for emotional support
Having someone to discuss your pregnancy problems and solutions can give you a great deal of positivity

5. Surround yourself with family and loved ones

Surrounding yourself with people who care about you
Gain support from women who have been through high risk pregnancy management
Your innermost network of people can help with preparing the home for a baby

6. Know about best exercises during high risk pregnancy

Walking

Walking is a good workout suited for almost all women
Make sure not to overstrain your joints
Aim for about 20 to 25 minutes of walk every day
Choose a route that is close to home and safe

Yoga and Pilates

Inform the instructor that you are pregnant and high risk
He/ She will modify the poses for you or include you in the group for pregnant women

Swimming and water workout

Aqua activities are great if you need to avoid joint and muscle strain
The effect of the water is such that it will support the baby’s weight you are carrying
If other activities strain your back, aqua aerobics or swimming is a great choice

Strength training

Bone and joint health are very important for a healthy pregnancy. Follow your trainer’s instructions on how pregnant women can adapt to strength training

Stick to low impact activities

It is best to do low or moderate impact activities such as walking, an elliptical workout, etc. A low impact workout will not stress your body too much

Whatever the exercise modality you choose, let your trainer know you are pregnant, how far along you are, and report any strain that you may feel during the workout.

7. Schedule regular checkups

Antenatal care is very important because:

It offers the chance to make sure your parameters such as blood pressure, blood sugar levels, etc are normal
Provides regular screening for any abnormalities that may arise in the mother or child
An assessment of nutritional levels can be made during each visit
Periodic investigations provide an opportunity to monitor the growth of the unborn baby
Especially with high risk pregnancy, it is critical to detect the earliest sign of complication
It ensures continuous monitoring and preventing worsening of the high-risk cause
You get the chance to ask questions and resolve any concerns that you may have

Also Read: |COVID-19 and High-Risk Pregnancy: What Are the Risks?|

Takeaway

Dr. Preeti Singh has a wide and varied experience of about 21 years in managing high risk pregnancies. She is one of the most renowned and best infertility doctors in Noida. Trained in the most advanced and minimally invasive techniques in obstetrics and gynecology, she will provide the best care for your high-risk pregnancy. You can relax and receive the best care under her supervision and progress towards seeing your healthy baby soon.