How is a Precious Pregnancy managed?

What is a precious pregnancy?

It is a pregnancy that occurs after years of delay in conceiving; due to the couple having fertility problems. This pregnancy usually occurs after undergoing a fertility treatment such as IVF, ICSI, or other treatments. It is called precious, Because the couple has spent a lot of time, effort, and money until this pregnancy happened. Although any mother and father consider their children precious, those who have undergone fertility treatments have a special appreciation for the blessing of pregnancy.

Risk factors in precious pregnancy

A precious pregnancy is classified as high risk in the following cases

1| Advanced maternal age

Pregnancy may be delayed for several years, and pregnancy does not occur until the mother is close to forty, and in many cases she is already over forty. Pregnancy after 40 is considered a high-risk pregnancy, whether it is a precious pregnancy or not. Therefore, the schedule of pregnancy follow-up visits is more intensive. Additional tests are performed for the mother at this age.

2| Pregnancy complications

A pregnant mother may develop gestational diabetes, or gestational hypertension, due to advanced age, or for several other reasons, including anxiety and stress about the safety of the pregnancy that she has waited for a long time, which requires close follow-up during pregnancy, and many preventive and therapeutic measures during pregnancy.

3| Fetal health

The safety and health of the fetus may face some problems during pregnancy, such as placenta previa, slow fetal growth, or premature birth and the need to place the baby in the NICU. Many women who undergo fertility treatments also conceive twins, a twin or multiple pregnancy is also considered high-risk.

4| General health problems

When a precious pregnancy occurs, the mother undergoes many tests and examinations to ensure that she does not suffer from certain health problems that may affect the health of the pregnancy and the fetus. The most prominent of these problems are: cardiovascular disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, thyroid problems, autoimmune diseases, and sexually transmitted diseases. If one of these problems exists, an intensive follow-up and treatment plan will be developed to protect the health of the mother and fetus.

Precautions during precious pregnancy

• Adhere to the schedule of prenatal visits set by the fertility specialist.
• Take pregnancy vitamins as prescribed by your doctor.
• Follow a balanced diet that contains all the essential elements, while minimizing added sugar, saturated fats, and processed foods. Avoid foods that are harmful to pregnant women, such as foods that contain mercury, which is found in some types of fish.
• Stop smoking of all kinds, and not be exposed to any form of negative smoking.
• Stop drinking alcohol.
• Reduce the amount of caffeine to one cup of coffee or tea per day.
• Do not take any supplements or medications without consulting a doctor and obtaining a prescription.
• Although vaginal delivery is possible and safe, most doctors prefer a cesarean section to avoid any surprises or complications during childbirth that may affect the health of the mother or the fetus.

Summary,

Every pregnancy is precious to the heart of the family, and every child is valuable and special. Pregnancy and childbirth are a priceless blessing. But there are special considerations and important precautions to be taken when pregnancy occurs after a period of delay, especially after undergoing expensive and tiring fertility treatments. Therefore, dear mom-to-be, make sure to monitor your pregnancy constantly, and follow your doctor’s instructions for your own and you child’s safety.