5 Ways to Survive Pregnancy
For you that are in the journey to Mommahood and some of you vets are going back for another geriatric pregnancy, this is the episode for you. If you’re trying for a pregnancy or not doing anything to prevent one you really need to ask yourself these questions. “Are you healthy enough to take on pregnancy” or “Is your hypertension under control” or “Are you on medications that could be harmful to you or the baby during pregnancy” or “Is your diabetes well controlled”. These are all questions that should be asked and answered before pregnancy. Yes, for most women, it’s great getting pregnant but Mommas, I want you to see it to the end. I want you to enjoy the Mature Momma life with your kids. As beautiful as pregnancy is, it can kill you if you’re not optimized to your best. Scary, but so true. Your body is so vulnerable. So many systems are stretched and challenged during those 40 weeks. Things can change so quickly and if you’re not optimized before pregnancy and monitored appropriately during pregnancy, you could lose your life.
So I know you’re saying “Okay…you’ve scared me enough, so what do I need to be doing? How can I make sure I survive pregnancy? What can I do now?” Well today I’m going to give you tips to help maximize your health. So your body is functioning at it’s best to help you make it through a pregnancy safely.
Please go and see your primary care physician or OB/GYN if you already have one for preconception counseling. I recommend this for everyone because what you may think that you have something that is minor but, your physician may feel you need further workup. Many times I’ve had patients come in and tell me about something minor and I’m like “Have you ever had xyz workup” to rule out certain disease processes and for sure, the workup comes up abnormal which completely changes whether they should get pregnant or how their pregnancy is monitored. It was a blessing in the information. Just schedule an appointment with us so we can see where you are as far as your health and to see if we need to adjust regimens. At the end of the day we want to make sure you and your child survive pregnancy. I mean the point is to meet your little one right? Plus, you’re going to need all the energy to run after these babies.
Make sure you have your mental health in check. I know I could have lumped this into the first tip but mental health deserves it’s own number. Mommas. Mommas. Mental health is so important and something that I’ve seen so many women willing to neglect in order to have their dream baby. Problem is, baby needs a well Momma to grow in and outside of the womb. A baby will not, I repeat, will not fix any mental health issues you have. Just like eating an aloe vera plant will not cure insulin dependent diabetes. The same way a diabetic needs insulin, your mental illness needs proper treatment. Do NOT stop all of your medications abruptly when you are trying to get pregnant or find out you’re pregnant. There are many treatment solutions that are safer for you and the baby than just quitting. We will have an entire podcast devoted to mental health in pregnancy and parenthood so don’t worry. Please take the time to sit with your mental health physician and talk about your desire to have children. You can both go over a treatment plan that is both safe in pregnancy and after. You want to be mentally prepared to go through your pregnancy and parenthood. It’s rough and putting your mental health first really helps. This is not something you want to ignore.
Get in the habit of eating healthy and staying active BEFORE pregnancy. Obesity alone makes you high risk. And I get it, you love your body, curves and all. And trust me, I love your body too but that doesn’t take away from the fact that obesity is linked to gestational hypertension, gestational diabetes, labor dystocia, cesareans, postop infections, fetal growth restrictions, stillbirths and maternal death in pregnancy and labor. I’m not going to preach that it’s an easy fix because Sis…I’ve been trying to lose the same 40-60 pounds for about a year. It’s is HARD. And even harder to maintain once you do it. I get it. I’m not someone that hasn’t or isn’t living it trying to tell you want to do. The lower your BMI, the less chance you have with certain risks in pregnancy. Perfect would be a BMI from 25 to 30 but even working on significantly lowering your BMIs over 40 can save your life. Get active now!
Mental health is so big that I have to mention is twice but in the form of support systems. It is worth having a conversation with your significant other, or family if your going to be single by choice, to make sure you have support during your pregnancy. Having a supportive tribe is so important to your pregnancy. You need someone or ones in your corner to make sure you’re healthy, happy, and heard.
If you’re in a relationship, please make sure it’s stable and you are safe. Abuse and violence increases during pregnancy. Pregnancy and a baby will not save a relationship or stop violence. It can result in death to you and/or your child. This is a situation you need to leave and not try to place a bandaid over with a pregnancy. And momma’s I do know that some of these pregnancies result due to the type of violence in your relationship so I’m in no way blaming you for pregnancies that happen due to the violence and rape. I’m speaking to the women that feel pregnancy is the solution. It’s not. Get out now or if you feel this is a person that can be healed with treatment, then, point them in the direction for the help. But you are not obligated to stay and you’re not obligated to have a child with this person to save them or the relationship. What this person needs are help that you’re not trained to give. And even if you are trained, they are not going to receive it from you. Your life and the life of any potential child deserves to be abuse and violence free. Huge step to make before the baby, make sure you’re safe and loved and protected.
Now these are quick health tips to prepare yourself for a baby. Of course if you have certain disease processes, there is much deeper content to go into but I just wanted to hit the bigger broader topics. We will talk about pre existing hypertension, diabetes, mental health, obesity, lung disease, etc. in dept in later podcast episodes. Today, I just want you to sit back and really think about your body and mind and know that the most important thing about pregnancy, is making sure you are optimized and safe before pregnancy. These tips will save your life. The key is having an open comfortable relationship with your physician so you can have these conversations before the test is positive. Some of yall walk through the door and we just think “I’m are going to have to seriously pray her through this”. Some of yall have zero business getting pregnant. Yep, I said it. Why did I say it? Because I want you to live for your babies. I want you to enjoy every moment that I have with my little ones. Getting pregnant is just the beginning, what you want to live for is parenthood. And as an obstetrician, I want to save your doctors some grey hairs, because some of yall be STRESSING US OUT *laughter*. Come in with all the things and think it’s going to be an easy ride. Meanwhile, I’m at the alter every Sunday praying that you see another day. And I know you think I’m kidding, but Momma’s for real, I’m a praying doctor and some of y’all having me praying down the heavens begging God to let you make it through pregnancy, labor and delivery. So yeah, if you don’t want me grey with wrinkles at the young forever age of 26, please, please, please Mommas, make sure your body and health is ready to grow and deliver the cutest parasite you have ever seen.