Planning second childbirth? Tips for preventing high-risk pregnancy

Pregnancy is a natural process and normally there should not be any issues in the delivery of the child. Women have been known to deliver multiple kids in their lifetime without many complications earlier. However, nowadays, due to changes in lifestyle and overall environment, couples are finding it difficult to conceive their first child.

More often, the first child is conceived easily but due to age factors and other complications second childbirth can be difficult, especially if you are a working woman with a hectic work schedule.

The high-risk factors in second pregnancy can be high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, HIV-positive mother, neural tube defects, and stillbirth. Since fertility begins to decline after the age of 35, pregnancies in the late thirties and forties have to be monitored closely to avoid high-risk pregnancy issues.

So how to prevent high-risk pregnancy the second time?

Maintain healthy weight

Women with obesity or who are overweight have difficulty conceiving. However, once they become pregnant it becomes important that they maintain a healthy weight and lose those extra kilos as it can lead to complications like preeclampsia, stillbirth, gestational diabetes, and high blood pressure.

A healthy diet accompanied by regular exercise can help to maintain a healthy weight and reduce the chances of high-risk pregnancy.

Taking prenatal supplements

The body of a pregnant lady needs certain nutrients so that it can support the proper growth of the baby. It is especially more important during the second childbirth as she has given a lot of herself during the first pregnancy.

Taking supplements and vitamins that provide protein, iron, folic acid, and calcium in the prenatal stage is very important.

Say no to drugs, tobacco and alcohol

Pregnant women should always abstain from tobacco, drugs, and drinking alcohol as it directly impacts the growth of the baby in the womb. Babies of women who drink during pregnancy have the risk of getting Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder in which the child is born with serious defects at the time of birth.

Similarly, taking drugs or smoking cigarettes can badly impact the health of the child at birth and some may even die in the womb.

Many times such babies are even born with drug addiction since birth.

Disclaimer: This piece of article is for basic information purposes only. It's always advisable to consult a doctor for any type of health issue.