What is the definition of a chronic illness?
A chronic health condition (also known as a chronic sickness or a chronic disease) that lasts for a year or longer necessitates continuing medical treatment. It can limit a person’s usual activities and impact everyday life. In this country, chronic health disorders affect an increasing number of women of childbearing age. This is because risk factors for chronic diseases, such as poor diet, insufficient physical exercise, overweight, and smoking, are rising.
Women who suffer from chronic illnesses can and do have healthy pregnancies and kids.
During pregnancy, your body performs an excellent job of caring for your kid. However, suppose you have a chronic health condition. In that case, you may require additional assistance from your healthcare providers to manage your illness and treatment (including prescription medication) before, during, and after pregnancy. You and your healthcare providers can do a lot to manage your condition and keep your baby safe and healthy.
What are the effects of chronic health issues on pregnancy?
Specific pregnancy issues are more likely if you have a chronic health condition. However, with the support of medical professionals, you can better control your illness and have a healthy pregnancy and infant.
Chronic health problems can put you at risk for:
- Infertility. This indicates that you are having difficulty conceiving.
- The delivery of a child too soon. This is when a baby is born before the 37th week of pregnancy. Prematurely born newborns are more likely to suffer health problems than those who are delivered on time.
- Defects in the womb. These are health problems that affect the shape or function of one or more body parts at birth. Congenital disabilities can affect one’s overall health, as well as how the body develops and functions.
- Miscarriage and stillbirth are examples of pregnancy losses. A miscarriage occurs when a baby dies in the womb before the 20th week of pregnancy. The death of a baby in the womb is known as a stillbirth.
To successfully treat your condition during pregnancy, you’ll need a team of medical professionals who will collaborate to offer you with the greatest prenatal care. The following individuals direct your group:
How do you deal with a chronic illness when pregnant?
It’s critical to keep a close eye on your pregnancy and your health once you’ve become pregnant. Here are some options:
Prenatal care should be sought early and frequently
This is the type of medical attention you will receive when pregnant. Your prenatal care provider will check on you and your growing baby at each visit. As soon as you find out you’re pregnant, contact your prenatal care provider and schedule your first prenatal care appointment. Then, even if you’re feeling fine, go to all of your prenatal care appointments.
Talk to your prenatal care provider about your condition, treatment plan, and keep your other prenatal care providers informed about your prenatal care at each prenatal visit. You may require additional prenatal care checks throughout your pregnancy if you have a chronic health issue. In between prenatal care appointments, your doctor may want you to keep track of your health at home. For example, if you have high blood pressure, you may need to check your own blood pressure daily.
Your provider will give you a physical exam and examine your overall health at your first prenatal checkup. She also discusses prenatal tests with you. These are medical tests that you will have during your pregnancy to assist your doctor in determining how you and your baby are doing. You may require additional prenatal tests if you have a chronic health issue.
Even if it was recommended by someone else, any medicine you’re taking should be disclosed to your prenatal care provider. Make sure any doctor who provides you treatment is aware of your pregnancy. Don’t start or stop taking any prescription medications without first consulting your doctor if you’re pregnant. Stopping your medicine abruptly can lead to severe complications. For example, if you have an autoimmune disorder, you may find that your symptoms improve during pregnancy. However, if you stop taking your treatment, your illness may worsen, putting your baby at risk.
Make sure you’re getting therapy for your disease regularly
Continue to see all of the doctors who treat your disease. You shouldn’t skip check-ups just because you’re getting prenatal care. Keep in mind that your providers are all members of your team, and each one plays a vital role in your pregnancy care.
Create a postpartum care strategy
This is a plan that will assist you in preparing for your postpartum medical care. When you should see your provider for your initial postpartum care check-up, your provider will be able to advise you. Then, after delivering a baby, you get a medical examination to ensure that you are recovering properly from labour and delivery. Finally, make a plan during one of your prenatal care visits. Making decisions about birth control and nursing, as well as receiving care for any issues you may have experienced during pregnancy, are all part of your plan.
Make preparations for nursing.
Inquire with your healthcare providers about how your medical condition impacts your ability to breastfeed. In the first year of life, breast milk is the most incredible food for babies. It aids in the growth and development of infants. Breastfeeding is safe for most women with chronic illnesses. However, several medical problems and medications may make nursing dangerous for your kid. Consult your healthcare physician before deciding whether or not to breastfeed.
Ask your provider about feeding your baby donor breast milk or formula if you aren’t breastfeeding. Breast milk donated to a milk bank is known as donor milk. A milk bank collects and saves donated breast milk, tests it to ensure its safety, and distributes it to needed newborns. Your baby’s health care provider may recommend donor breast milk. It provides all of the advantages of breast milk. The formula is a milk product that can be used instead of breast milk to feed your baby.
