Busted: 4 High-Risk Pregnancy Myths
Risk.
It’s a word that’s thrown out a lot when discussing pregnancy. High risk, moderate risk, low risk. But what exactly do these terms mean? And how do you know which category your pregnancy falls into?
The answer is: You usually don’t know until you meet with a reproductive healthcare provider to discuss your current health, medical history, and lifestyle. Roots Community Birth Center only takes care of low-risk pregnant people. That simply means that the birthing parent has few risk factors. This is not an exhaustive list, but some things that help us determine a pregnant person’s level of risk include:
Being pregnant with multiples
Previous pregnancy complications
High blood pressure
Substance abuse
Chronic conditions like blood disorders or cancer
If you have any of these risk factors — or a combination of them — it’s possible birth center care might not be the best fit for you, and you may require specialized care from an obstetrician.
But we often hear prospective clients express concern that they’re too old for a birth center delivery or that they can’t see a midwife because they had a C-section in the past. Things like age and prior surgical birth are important when assessing risk. But they don’t automatically mean your pregnancy is high risk. Keep reading as we bust four high-risk pregnancy myths.
Age 35 or Older
When you’re a pregnant person who’s 35 or older, some practitioners refer to this as advanced maternal age (AMA). While age can be a risk factor for certain complications during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum, age alone does not make a pregnancy high risk. Evidence does show that pregnant folks older than 35 have a greater chance of carrying a baby with chromosomal abnormalities. Other risks include miscarriage, high blood pressure, gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, placenta previa, preterm birth, low birth weight, C-section, and postpartum hemorrhage.
At Roots, we practice evidence-based care, so we are mindful of clients’ ages, and we discuss the risks associated with pregnancy in the late 30s and 40s. However, age is part of a larger conversation, taking into account each client’s current health and health history. It’s also important to note that we discuss risks with all the families we serve, not just when the pregnant person is 35 or older. Every pregnancy carries some level of risk, no matter where the birth occurs or how old the pregnant person is. Simply put, being 35 or older does not automatically equal a high-risk pregnancy, and pregnant people in their late 30s and 40s can still pursue reproductive care at our birth center.
Weight
At Roots, we take your weight when you first come into care, and we keep track of it as your pregnancy progresses. If you have a higher weight or are obese, there may be increased risks for you and your growing baby. For the birthing parent, these include miscarriage, gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, preterm birth, C-section, and stillbirth. Some potential risks for the baby consist of a higher chance of growth problems in the womb, certain birth defects like heart issues and neural tube defects, and childhood conditions, such as asthma and metabolic syndrome.
However, much like being 35 or older, being overweight or obese does not automatically mean you have a high-risk pregnancy. No matter what size or shape your body is, we believe you can have a healthy pregnancy. As midwives, we view your health holistically, so we look at your current health, medical history, lifestyle, and other factors that may affect your pregnancy.
Gestational Diabetes
Gestational diabetes (GD) is a temporary form of diabetes that occurs in some pregnant people, and it can lead to health problems for the birthing parent and the baby, especially if it goes undiagnosed or untreated. This condition increases the chances of preeclampsia, premature birth, and shoulder dystocia, and it may result in a high birth weight for the baby and a lifelong diagnosis of diabetes for the pregnant individual.
Between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy, you’ll be offered a one-hour glucose screening to test the amount of glucose in your blood. A high blood sugar level usually warrants another three-hour test to confirm the condition. While excess weight gain can contribute to developing gestational diabetes during pregnancy, individuals with normal weight gain can have it, too. If you’re diagnosed with gestational diabetes, it does not necessarily mean you are high-risk. Our team will work with you to carefully monitor your condition. Oftentimes, lifestyle and dietary changes are enough to keep gestational diabetes controlled without becoming severe.
Previous C-Section
You might think that if you’ve had one C-section, any subsequent pregnancies are considered high-risk and you’re required to have a repeat surgical birth. However, that’s not true! Evidence suggests that VBAC, or vaginal birth after cesarean, is a safe, reasonable, and appropriate option for healthy, low-risk pregnant people.
At Roots, we accept clients who choose VBAC, and our success rate is 96 percent! There are a few factors that make you a good candidate for VBAC, and these include:
Only one prior C-section
A low, transverse incision
Space of at least 18 months since your last pregnancy
A non-repeating factor, like twins or a breech baby, for your previous surgical birth
A past vaginal birth at some point
These are not specific requirements for a VBAC at Roots, and we will work with you to personalize your care by discussing your individual medical history and your hopes for subsequent births.
Takeaways About High-Risk Pregnancy Myths
Now that you’ve read about high-risk pregnancy myths, you might have noticed a theme. Assessing risk during pregnancy is a process; it’s not something we can determine from one factor. You are not a checklist. We know that you are a complex human being with feelings and stories and lived experiences.
That’s why we value discussion. If you are planning to conceive or are already pregnant, contact us at Roots to learn about our holistic care. Even if you are 35 or older, living in a bigger body, or had a C-section in the past, Roots can still be a good fit for you. Set up a free consultation by calling us at 612-338-2784, scheduling a tour, or filling out our form!