When Pregnancy Becomes High-Risk: Why Mental Health Support Is Essential
This guest blog post was written by Ashley Lewis, RN and Anna Trueb, RN- founders of Birth Savvy Pregnancy Consultants. Birth Savvy provides comprehensive childbirth education by obstetric nurses, including individualized support and education for high-risk pregnancies.
A high-risk pregnancy is more than a medical label, it’s a lived experience that can reshape every aspect of your journey to parenthood. A pregnancy may be deemed high-risk based on medical history such as epilepsy, diabetes, autoimmune disease, or a prior complicated birth experience, or pregnancy loss. Other times, high-risk conditions arise during pregnancy such as being surprised by multiples (twins or triplets!) developing high blood pressure, or receiving an unexpected finding on an ultrasound. No matter the cause, having a high-risk pregnancy often means more monitoring and specialist care. But for many, this diagnosis brings more than just extra appointments.
Increased uncertainty and concern about your growing baby can cause heightened anxiety and sometimes even fear. Yet when you’re navigating pregnancy- especially one marked by high risk- mental health challenges like anxiety, depression, past trauma, or the grief of a previous loss can feel overwhelming. Left unacknowledged, these experiences can quietly affect our bodies. Constant stress can raise blood pressure, disrupt sleep, and make it harder for the body to rest and recover- impacting our body’s ability to prepare for birth and heal afterward. Depression can sap energy and interfere with feeding, caring for, and bonding with your baby. It can make attending appointments and voicing your concerns more challenging, increasing isolation and sometimes leading to prolonged recovery times. None of these experiences are a reflection of your strength or worth as a parent- it’s simply the way our bodies and minds are interconnected. That’s why tending to emotional well being during and after pregnancy isn’t a luxury, it’s a vital part of protecting you and your baby’s health. Your feelings, fears, and memories matter, and caring for them is just as important as monitoring your physical health.
Why Specialized Support Matters
One of the most powerful ways to protect your mental health during a high-risk pregnancy is to build a support network of professionals who not only care about, but understand the emotional complexities of pregnancy and postpartum- or the perinatal period. Perinatal mental health therapists can help you navigate anxiety, depression, trauma, and grief within the unique context of pregnancy and postpartum. Likewise, preparing for birth and recovery with childbirth education professionals trained in perinatal mental health - such as the nurses at Birth Savvy - ensures your care comes from experts who understand how emotional well-being shapes medical outcomes. This specialized care blends emotional support, clinical expertise, and practical tools, helping you feel informed, grounded, and truly seen throughout your journey.
The Birth Savvy Approach: High-Support for High-Risk
At Birth Savvy Pregnancy Consultants, we believe being labeled high-risk should mean high-support. Our nurses integrate perinatal mental health expertise into every service we offer, from the first weeks of pregnancy through postpartum recovery.
Our private, one-on-one services include:
Personalized pregnancy education tailored to your medical history and pregnancy needs
Childbirth education and birth planning grounded in clinical evidence and bedside experience
Newborn care and infant feeding preparation, including lactation support from certified lactation consultants
Infant CPR education for safety and peace of mind
In-home postpartum support focused on physical recovery, emotional well-being, and newborn care
And so much more!
High-risk doesn’t have to mean high-stress. With the right education, advocacy, and support, it can mean high-connection, high-confidence, and high-quality care. Whether we’re helping you prepare for childbirth, recover postpartum, or feel confident in feeding and bonding with your baby, our focus is always on your whole-person health. Your mental health matters. Your questions matter. Your experience matters. And at Birth Savvy, you’ll never navigate this journey alone.
Ashley Lewis RN, BSN and Anna Trueb RN, BSN, MPH are registered nurses with extensive clinical experience in high-risk obstetric care. They are certified in Perinatal Mental Health and founded Birth Savvy Pregnancy Consultants to focus on supporting families navigating high-risk pregnancies.
Learn more and Contact Anna and Ashely at:
@birthsavvy
info@birthsavvy.co
