Learning you have a high-risk pregnancy can put a lot of stress on your physical, emotional, and mental health during a time when you need to maintain optimum health.
At The Guirguis Obstetrics & Gynecology Group in Brooklyn and Staten Island, New York, and Hoboken, New Jersey, we offer comprehensive high-risk pregnancy care that prioritizes your health and your baby’s development.
Our team of skilled OB/GYNs provides the resources you need to maintain great physical health throughout your pregnancy. We also offer strategies you can use to stay emotionally and mentally well as you navigate the challenges of a high-risk pregnancy.
A high-risk pregnancy describes any pregnancy where there is a risk for complications in the baby or mother.
Your pregnancy may be high risk if you have existing health conditions, including hypertension (high blood pressure) or diabetes, that affect your health and the development of the fetus.
You might also have a high-risk pregnancy if you’re carrying twins or other multiples or because of advanced maternal age (35 and older), eating disorders, a history of complications with previous pregnancies, or previous illegal drug use or alcoholism.
Other factors that contribute to a high-risk pregnancy include complications that arise after conception, such as:
Mental health issues like anxiety or depression that develop during pregnancy can also require high-risk pregnancy care.
Women with high-risk pregnancy concerns need to prioritize self-care to protect their physical, emotional, and mental well-being.
A daily self-care routine makes it easier for you to manage the emotional ups and downs of your pregnancy journey, so you and your baby will thrive.
Here are five self-care strategies you can incorporate into your routine to improve your emotional health:
The stress of a high-risk pregnancy can make it difficult for you to fully relax your body. Incorporate deep breathing exercises into your daily routine to keep your nervous system calm and your body relaxed.
A simple technique is to breathe in through your nose while expanding your belly. Hold for a few beats before releasing a long breath.
Journaling gives you a safe space to jot down ruminating thoughts, fears, and anxieties. Putting these concerns down on paper helps you release them from your mind and provides clarity about your emotional health.
You should also take time to journal about the good things happening in your life and the things you’re grateful for each day. This practice keeps you focused on the positive, so you ruminate less on the things that stress you out.
Isolating yourself from friends and family when you’re feeling down or worried can worsen your emotional and mental health.
Make a point to catch up regularly with people you enjoy spending time with. You can also explore support groups in the area that connect women who are also navigating a high-risk pregnancy.
When you’re feeling anxious, the last thing you want to hear is bad news. Limit the time you spend watching the nightly news and read an inspiring book instead.
Stay mindful about how much time you spend on social media versus time spent with family and friends.
Going through a high-risk pregnancy experience can take a toll on all aspects of your life, so rest as much as possible without feeling guilty.
Be gentle with yourself and maintain realistic expectations about what you can manage in the months leading up to childbirth.
Call The Guirguis Obstetrics & Gynecology Group office near you today to learn more about high-risk pregnancy care or book an appointment online.
