When I found out I was pregnant with my son I was so happy and I knew that in 9 months I was going to have a little baby to hold in my arms. Then the doctor told me I was a "high risk pregnancy". The term high risk automatically sends a shiver down any pregnant woman's spine. So you talk to your doctor more than you would talk to your friends to make sure you are doing everything you can to give your baby a chance. I did everything I was asked by the doctors and my care team to ensure that my baby would have the best chance, but that is not always enough. To explain a little better... my son was born at 34 weeks (6 weeks premature) after going into labor at 16 weeks, 23 weeks, 27 weeks and finally at 33 1/2 weeks (ending up in the hospital on labor stalling medications for 4 days). I then went on to get pregnant again with my angel Lily, and at 19 weeks 6 days I had premature rupture of membranes and ended up delivering. She was sustained for 5 mins. I cannot describe the fear that comes with even thinking about being pregnant ever again. It is a mixture of wondering if you will ever be able to sustain a pregnancy long enough to deliver and the fear of not knowing how premature the next baby will be. My biggest worry is that I know there are no resources that tell you how to deal with being a high risk pregnancy unless you are on bed rest. Through my own experiences I have come up with a few things that every woman labeled high risk can do.
1. Talk with your doctors and nurses and be honest about EVERYTHING... If they don't know they can't help.
2. Start a blog or a journal... do anything that helps you get your feelings out.
3. RESEARCH... This one is a biggie... Do research on your condition and if it is more likely than not that you will deliver prematurely research NICU's in your area... Find out which one is closest and which is the best... Survival rates ARE important... Many people told me when I was pregnant with my angel that survival rates at different hospitals aren't important because the hospital you go to will "ship" you to the best hospital for you to have your preemie... WRONG!!
4. Have a good support system... this can be friends, family, social workers... ANYBODY that would help to have around if the worst happens.
5. Even though it is VERY stressful try to do things that reduce your stress.
OK... there's my list... I hope this has helped at least one person... that was my goal.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
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