If you are thinking about getting pregnant or are already pregnant, visit your healthcare provider. He or she will check your medical history and run tests to see whether you are likely to have a high-risk pregnancy. Your healthcare provider will help you come up with a plan for reducing your risks while you are pregnant. But keep in mind that although risk can be reduced, it is not always possible to prevent a pregnancy from becoming high risk.
Taking care of yourself and getting early and regular prenatal care from a healthcare provider may help reduce some of the risks to the pregnancy.
- Eat healthfully. Ask your healthcare provider about what to eat and drink to get the right nutrients while also maintaining a healthy weight.
- Don’t smoke, do drugs, or drink alcohol.
- Exercise regularly.
- Get good dental care.
- Get regular prenatal care.
- Always follow your healthcare provider’s recommendations.
Just because a woman is older does not mean she will definitely have a cesarean delivery. However, women 35 and older are more likely to have high-risk pregnancies because of their age, and research shows that older first-time moms are more likely to have caesarean deliveries than younger first-time moms. If you are an older first-time mom, it is possible that you will need a cesarean delivery. You should discuss any concerns you have about your pregnancy and your delivery with your healthcare provider.
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