Things No One Told Me About Pregnancy – Taking care of you and your baby while you’re pregnant – by Kristina Marshall. Pregnancy is a wonderful, challenging, unique experience, and we know that you want to do whatever you can to keep yourself and your baby healthy. There are many challenges that can arise during pregnancy, some of them both unexpected and life-threatening.
We’ve created a list of some of the most dangerous complications you need to prepare for before and during pregnancy. Being prepared can mean the difference between mild complications and emergencies, and even life and death!
Things No One Told Me About Pregnancy
CPR in Pregnancy and Sudden Cardiac Arrest – A complication that is continuing to grow among pregnant women is sudden cardiac arrest. Sudden cardiac arrest can happen to women who are otherwise healthy, and if you aren’t prepared to treat it, it could spell death for you or your unborn child.
Is CPR in Pregnancy Safe? – Yes! There are no special steps or techniques needed when performing CPR on a pregnant woman. Your partner (or whoever is helping you most during pregnancy) should get CPR certification. This will ensure that they are doing it correctly, which will keep you and your baby safe.
You should note that after appropriately conducted CPR, you will have bruised or broken ribs. However, your baby will not be harmed in any way.
Can I Use an AED During Pregnancy? – An AED is an automated external defibrillator, commonly found in gyms, sports arenas, and anywhere else where large groups of people gather or where rigorous physical activity is performed. It is a valuable tool in saving someone’s life during a cardiac episode, but is it safe to use on a pregnant woman?
Yes. An AED can safely be used on a pregnant woman, but following the proper technique is pivotal in making sure someone doesn’t cause harm to you or your child. As long as all the proper steps are followed, using an AED can save your life.
Preventing Sudden Cardiac Arrest – There isn’t a fool-proof way to prevent sudden cardiac arrest during pregnancy, but there are some steps you can take to reduce your risk. Obese women and women who struggle with high blood pressure are particularly at risk.
Regular exercise and a healthy diet are the best ways to prevent sudden cardiac arrest from happening. Being healthy can also help your body withstand a cardiac event should you experience one.
Preterm Labor – Preterm labor is a common complication during pregnancy when the mother goes into labor before the 37th week of pregnancy. If the baby is delivered, its organs and vital systems will be underdeveloped and may not survive.
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While this can be a troubling development, there are steps you can take to mitigate the risk of preterm labor, and there is treatment available should you experience it.
Preventing and Treating Preterm Labor – Like many complications, there isn’t a guaranteed way to prevent preterm labor. However, avoiding alcohol and drug abuse, exercising, and following a nutritious diet are commonsense actions that can keep you from experiencing preterm labor.
Fortunately, doctors can administer medication that will stop preterm labor. However, it’s possible for you to experience it again even after a doctor stops it. Your doctor may prescribe bed rest to ensure that you deliver your baby as close to the due date as possible.
Anemia – While pregnant, you are sharing all of your vitamins and nutrients with your growing baby. If you don’t get the required nutrients you need, you could experience complications. Anemia during pregnancy occurs when your iron level drops to dangerous levels.
Anemia can be prevented and treated by receiving appropriate prenatal care, specifically by making sure you are taking prenatal vitamins. The extra iron in those supplements can prevent you from becoming anemic and can help treat anemia when it occurs.
Symptoms of anemia include a pale face and skin, weakness, and chronic fatigue. You should contact your primary care physician or obstetrician if you begin to experience these symptoms since it can cause dangerous complications and can be easily treated.
Taking Care of Yourself and Your Baby Is Top Priority – There are many situations to prepare for to make sure you keep yourself and your baby safe and healthy during pregnancy. The most important things you can do to stave off potential complications are receiving appropriate prenatal care, taking prenatal vitamins, exercising, and maintaining a healthy diet.
There are so many things no one told me about pregnancy. If you have questions or concerns about the best way to keep yourself in tip-top shape, reach out to your primary care physician or obstetrician for catered advice for your specific pregnancy.
