Having A Baby or Planning to Grow Your Family? Here's How to Manage the Risks

Growing your family is one of the most exciting life event– but no pregnancy is without risk. The good news is that, whether you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, there are steps you can take to maximize your health and the baby’s health.

Understanding the risks associated with pregnancy is a good first step. They include:

• Health conditions such as diabetes or hypertension that may be present prior to pregnancy or emerge unexpectedly during pregnancy, or conditions of pregnancy such as multiple births;
• Psychological and emotional factors such as post-partum depression or drug and alcohol use or dependance; and
• Social and economic circumstances that include access to healthy foods, the ability to access and pay for health care, living conditions, and more.

“We encourage anyone considering having a baby to have a discussion with their obstetrician early on and identify the controllable health conditions prior to pregnancy so that mother and baby’s health can be optimized during pregnancy,” said Hartaj Powell, MD, medical director of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Holy Cross Health.

Managing risk proactively can take many forms including referral for specialized care, taking medications as prescribed, following a healthy diet, participating in regular physical activity, and avoiding substances that can be harmful to mom and the developing fetus. “Every pregnancy is unique and managed in a way appropriate to each individual’s medical circumstance,” said Dr. Powell.

Choosing where to have your baby is another consideration and families should take the time to select a place where they feel safest, comfortable, and where physicians are taking the time to answer questions and respond to concerns.

When asked, why choose to have a baby at Holy Cross Hospital” Nancy Nagel’s answer is both professional and personal: “We are accredited by the state of Maryland as a level-3 perinatal referral center, which means we have the personnel, equipment, space, and resources to take care of all pregnancies. I choose to have my children at Holy Cross Hospital because Holy Cross Hospital was my OB practice’s choice as a delivery hospital and because of the resources available” said Nagel, vice president of Women and Children’s Services at Holy Cross Health.

Holy Cross Hospital Level III neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is one of the largest NICUs in Maryland and among the region’s very best. “We are like a family here,” said Nagel, “and our family includes top-notch neonatologists, neonatal nurse practitioners, and a highly trained nursing staff, with the support of respiratory therapists, social workers, physical therapists, neonatal dietitians, neonatal pharmacists, and lactation consultants.”

A recently completed renovation added new triage, labor and delivery, operating and recovery rooms, and all patient rooms are private so moms and families can bond with baby in privacy and comfort. In Nagel’s final thoughts, she added, “what I want people to know who choose to come to Holy Cross is that this is our family taking care of your family.”