A woman’s body may be built for child-bearing, but not every woman can survive pregnancy. Several factors come into play when it comes to conceiving. Age, weight, health condition, and quality of life are among those.
Women who don’t meet the ideal standards for a healthy pregnancy have what’s called a high-risk pregnancy. It makes them prone to complications that can hurt them and their unborn baby. Thankfully, women can find out their likelihood of a high-risk pregnancy early on. It allows them to reconsider having a baby if the odds are stacked against them.
But sadly, many women are uninformed about the dark side of pregnancy. They assume their bodies can nourish a baby without problems, or that pregnancy isn’t that hard. As a result, they end up with a series of health issues, staggering bills, and a life of constant struggle.
To avoid these, women should be given better access to healthcare and educational material about pregnancy. If you’re wondering about your own risks for an unsafe pregnancy, here are some pointers for you:
- You are a Teen
Without question, teens shouldn’t get pregnant, ever. Teens are more likely to deliver prematurely, have a baby with low birth weight, or contract hypertension or pre-eclampsia. In addition, their underdeveloped pelvis can lead to childbirth complications. If they also have nutritional deficiencies — given that many young girls have poor eating habits — childbirth can cause more strain for them and their baby.
No matter how many teens are able to deliver safely, it’s never a justifiable reason to get pregnant yourself. Practice protected intercourse, or better yet, abstinence. Getting intimate with a significant other can wait if you’re still a teen.
- You’re Over 35 Years Old
Pregnancy can also be unsafe if you’re older than 35 years old. By that age, you’re already at a higher risk for diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and high blood pressure. These health issues can increase your odds for miscarriage, poor fetal growth, and birth defects in your baby.
It’s not the same for every woman over 35 years old, though. Some of them can still get pregnant and deliver safely. Look at celebrities Julianne Moore, Naomi Watts, Halle Berry, and more. As long as you maintain a healthy lifestyle, your fertility won’t decline prematurely, and your body will accommodate a growing fetus without problems.
- You are Financially Unprepared
According to Bankrate, the average cost of raising a child from birth to age 17 is $233,610. But that estimated cost is for married couples with two children and a median income. If you’re expecting to raise only one child with the same income bracket, you may spend 27% more of the average costs.
If you are financially unprepared now, you’re not going to be prepared either when the baby comes, unless you get a massive windfall. You may get by if you and your spouse can find a way to increase your income within a short period. But if you’d be a single mom, or certain circumstances hold you back from preparing financially, then reconsider your desire to get pregnant. Maybe it can wait a few more months or years.
- You Don’t Have Time For Prenatal Care
A healthy pregnancy occurs due to multiple prenatal appointments. If you can’t make time for these appointments, it’s best to delay getting pregnant. Skipping prenatal appointments increases your risks for pregnancy complications; it’s not worth it.
To give you an idea about prenatal care, it involves taking prenatal vitamins, exercising every day, attending childbirth classes, avoiding alcohol and tobacco, and curbing weight gain. If you can’t commit to all those, wait until you become ready to do so before conceiving.
- You Are Mentally Unprepared
Many women are pressured to get pregnant. And sadly, it’s their own families or spouse that put this pressure on them. If you are under the same pressure, don’t feel apologetic for putting your own well-being first. It’s your body, so only you should decide what to do with it.
If you got pregnant while still undecided if you’re truly ready to become a mom, approach someone you trust about abortion. Don’t try to end your pregnancy using unsafe methods you see on the internet. Turn to health professionals, who may recommend you safe abortion pills. It’s a non-invasive alternative to surgical abortion.
However, if you want to take the pill, do so early in your pregnancy. If you are already over nine weeks pregnant, you can only get a surgical abortion.
Reconsidering pregnancy may sound unthinkable to some people, but try not to get swayed by their opinion. Parenthood is a lifelong commitment, so only those who are ready for it should embark on it. If you hesitate before the journey, consider yourself completely unprepared.
