Having a “High-Risk” Pregnancy is a Little Like Being a VIP

I don’t think any pregnant momma chooses to be high-risk.  In fact, if I could go back in time and have a perfectly normal pregnancy with my daughter without preeclampsia, a NICU stay, and a resulting high-risk pregnancy this go round — I would do it in a heartbeat.  While I know that whole ordeal happened for a reason, and I’m happy to share my story, I would gladly go back to the blissful state I lived in before my preeclampsia diagnosis – when I could never even imagine the slightest thing could go wrong with this pregnancy.

Regardless of how I wish things would be, I am here in a high-risk pregnancy. And not even 20 weeks in, I have to tell you…it’s not so bad.  Of course, I’m hyperaware of symptoms and potential issues, but there are certainly perks to this status.

My first example?  I’ve had four ultrasounds already.  FOUR.  My fifth ultrasound is already scheduled for a few weeks from now.  {The average healthy pregnancy has two ultrasounds.}  All of mine have been medically necessary, and I’m certainly not complaining about all of the extra opportunities to peek in on my little nugget and make sure all is well.

I also don’t complain about all of the extra monitoring.  While I’m now spending longer periods of time between appointments, I didn’t go more than two weeks without a doctor’s visit in my first trimester.  I lost count of the number of tests my OB ordered at my first appointment, checking everything from my HCG levels to my liver counts.  I am guaranteed to do at least two more 24 hour urine holds throughout the course of this pregnancy.  I am definitely more comfortable being watched closely and knowing that if even the slightest sign indicates something is wrong, my doctors will catch it more quickly.

High risk pregnancies mean that you’re also working with a high-risk OB — and those guys don’t mess around.  They have the most high tech equipment and are always on top of your care.  One of the HMB contributors even had her high-risk OB meet her at the hospital on Christmas Eve for extra monitoring.  The same doctor came to the hospital after I’d been admitted with my daughter and personally gave me an ultrasound so she could evaluate my situation.  They may run late to regular appointments because they’re caring for a patient who really needs it, but I personally want that attention when the time comes for me too.

It took me a long time to come around to the idea of having another baby after my last pregnancy.  But now that I’m here, I’m so grateful for all the extra attention and care I receive.  While there may be no red carpet or expensive champagne {duh – pregnant and high-risk}, I’ll take this “VIP” status gladly.

Having a "High-Risk" Pregnancy is a Little Like Being a VIP | Houston Moms Blog

4 COMMENTS

  1. I don’t think having a high risk pregnancy and receiving appropriate medical care for that pregnancy is the same as VIP status. You received the right level if care for your complicated pregnancy because you and your baby required ut, not because you are a VIP of one higher social status.

    • Hi Cindy,
      Thank you for taking the time to read my post. I think you may have missed my overall point. I definitely received the amount of care I needed and I am so grateful for that. But this post was about focusing on the few positives of a high risk pregnancy instead of stressing over the millions of stressful points.

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