Pregnancy

High Risk Pregnancies

 

The term "high-risk pregnancy" describes a situation where a pregnant woman has one or more factors that could put her or her baby’s health at risk. Check with your doctor, but in general, a pregnancy may be considered high risk if the pregnant woman:

• is 35 years old or older
• is 15 years old or younger
• is underweight or overweight prior to becoming pregnant
• has had a premature baby
• has had a baby with a birth defect, especially heart or genetic problems
• has high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, lupus, asthma, a seizure disorder, or another longstanding medical problem
• has an ethnic background in which genetic disorders are common (or a partner who does)
• has a family history of mental retardation (or a partner who does)

Bed Rest

Just as every pregnancy is different, every woman's experience with bed rest is different. Some women may know early on that because of their medical histories, they will have to go on bed rest at some point in their pregnancies. Other women may be surprised to hear their doctors announce, after a routine appointment, that they'll be on bed rest for a few weeks.

If your doctor places you on bed rest---your first thought might be that’s a bit of a vacation or break. BUT---bed rest during pregnancy is no vacation. Fortunately, though, there are plenty of ways to make your time in bed more enjoyable and productive, so keep reading and find out how to make the best of bed rest.

Why bed rest

There are several situations that might cause your doctor to recommend bed rest for some portion of your pregnancy. If your medical history, including previous pregnancies, contains information that might point to a medical complication, your doctor might recommend bed rest. Or, you might experience symptoms, such as bleeding or contractions that require you to go on bed rest.

Even if your medical history is clear and you experience no symptoms, your doctor may require bed rest if the results of a test or procedure indicate a medical complication or if your baby's growth is determined to be poor.

Multiples

If you're having multiples, your pregnancy may be considered high risk and will require close monitoring by your doctor. If you develop any problems, your doctor might place you on bed rest. Bed rest might also be recommended if you've had previous pregnancies that ended in miscarriage, stillbirth, or a premature birth.

Tips for surviving bed rest

Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to make your bed rest enjoyable without becoming addicted to daytime TV. Try these tips:

• Stick to a schedule - Even if you have to stay in bed all day, you'll feel better if you take care of yourself.
• Be comfortable - After you wake up, change into comfortable clothes and plan what to do for the day.
• Plan - Having a plan will make you feel as if you're accomplishing something and will give you something to look forward to.
• Catch up while you can - Let's face it, after the baby arrives, you'll be too busy to think about catching up on correspondence or reading your favorite author's latest novel.

Try these time passers:

• choose a doctor for your child, find quality child care, or write up a birth plan (if you haven't already done these things)
• start a journal chronicling your pregnancy - and your bed rest
• start a family tree that you can share with your child someday
• firm up your baby-name choices; use books and websites for ideas
• organize photo albums
• read anything - newspapers, magazines, classic novels, the latest bestsellers, compilations of fiction or poetry; you could even revisit some of your favorite childhood stories or try out some books from the library for your little one
• watch rented videos/DVDs or taped TV shows
• answer letters or correspondence
• write thank-you cards if you've already had a baby shower; if not, start addressing the envelopes to people (friends and family) whom you know will probably give gifts
• build an email and phone list of people to call when the baby comes, if you haven't already done so
• start a calendar of important dates to remember (birthdays, anniversaries, etc.)
• contact your job about your maternity-leave benefits
• fill out health insurance paperwork for your baby in advance
• designate a guardian for your child and have your lawyer draft a new will

Go Online: The Internet is a great place to find support from other moms on bed rest. Check out bed rest message boards and chat rooms, where you can share tips and get advice.

Maternal-Fetal-Medicine

A Maternal-Fetal Medicine physician, also called a perinatologist, is an obstetrician who specializes in the diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing care of expectant mothers and their unborn babies, who may be at high risk for special health problems.

Women are generally referred to a Maternal-Fetal Medicine specialist by their obstetrician or other physician because he or she sees a potential for a pregnancy-related health concern or because a problem develops during the course of the pregnancy. Some women choose to see a Maternal-Fetal Medicine specialist on their own, without a referral from their obstetrician.