Healthy Pregnancies for the Not So Healthy
A SouthCrest Perinatal Specialist explains how to stay healthy for those with high risk pregnancies
Finding out you are pregnant can be the most exciting yet scariest news you could possibly hear. Even in the best of circumstances, a pregnancy raises many questions in the minds of mothers-to-be. For some, however, the news can be even scarier if health risks are involved. High risk pregnancies are something that can affect any woman. In the event you do fall into the high risk category, it is time for you and your obstetrician to seek the guidance of a Perinatal Specialist.
What is a “high-risk” pregnancy?
With every pregnancy comes certain risks, but there are more dangers to the health of the mother and baby with a high-risk pregnancy. A pregnancy is deemed high-risk when the mother, the baby, or both are at higher-than-average risk of complications during the pregnancy. These complications can be related to pre-existing conditions, such as diabetes or high blood pressure, or conditions the expecting mother develops during the pregnancy, such as preeclampsia and gestational diabetes. Other risk factors for a high-risk pregnancy include multiple births, previous problem pregnancies, being overweight or underweight and maternal age (over 35 or under 17). If you have any of the health issues mentioned above, you should consult with your physician before you become pregnant.
“Women with a chronic condition should talk to their doctor about how to minimize risk before they get pregnant,” says James H. Beeson, Ph.D., M.D., a board-certified obstetrician and maternal-fetal medicine physician. Examples of common conditions that can complicate a pregnancy include:
• Heart disease
• High blood pressure
• Kidney problems
• Autoimmune disorders
• Sexually transmitted diseases
• Diabetes
• Cancer
Prevention and Treatment
If you have the potential for a high risk pregnancy, there are things you can do to minimize certain risks. As always, consult your physician to find out what is best for your specific condition and situation. In doing so, things you might hear may include:
• Making sure your immunizations are current
• Eating a healthy diet
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Exercising regularly unless advised otherwise by your physician
• Avoiding drugs, alcohol, and cigarettes
• Visiting your physician on a regular basis
Following these guidelines and working closely with your perinatologist, nurses and other healthcare providers can help ensure the best possible outcome for you and your baby.
Join Dr. Beeson as he discusses “Healthy Pregnancies for the Not So Healthy” on Tuesday, June 8, at 6:30 p.m. at the SouthCrest Medical Plaza, 91st and Hwy. 169, Education Center, Suite 145. Dr. Beeson will discuss the signs, symptoms, and risk factors related to high risk pregnancies and how to sustain a healthy pregnancy. Seating is limited, so please remember to register.
Dr. Beeson is a maternal-fetal medicine physician who has actively practiced Obstetrics and Gynecology for over 30 years. Most recently he served as Professor for the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics at the University Of Oklahoma College Of Medicine, Tulsa.
Dr. Beeson received a B.S. degree in Chemistry from Indiana University in 1962, a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1966 and an M.B.A. from Michigan State University in 1970. Dr. Beeson received his M.D. from the University Of Chicago Pritzker School Of Medicine in 1976. He completed a residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Chicago Lying-In Hospital and a fellowship in Maternal-Fetal Medicine (Immunology) at the University Of Utah School Of Medicine.
Dr. Beeson has special certification in Critical Care Obstetrics from Vanderbilt University; He has NTQR certification for Nuchal Translucency and Nasal Bone screening and he is board-certified in obstetrics and maternal-fetal medicine.
For more information regarding SouthCrest Hospital and its full menu of services, please visit https://hillcrestsouth.com/.
