How to Deal with a Poor Prognosis in Pregnancy

Hearing that a pregnancy has a poor prognosis, or a likely unfavorable outcome, is every woman's worst nightmare. Along with this news comes some difficult choices, including whether to carry the child or terminate, and what tests to have done. Each of these choices and the decisions the mother has to make are individual to the circumstances and the mother.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

1. Ask questions. If something is not clear, make the doctor clarify it. Make sure that everything is explained.
2. Be absolutely sure of any decision. It is a woman's right to choose how to proceed once a poor prognosis is given. However, if the decision to terminate the pregnancy is made, be sure that is the best option. There is no going back once it is done.
3. Take time. If unsure, take a few days to think over the options and the prognosis of the pregnancy. Talk it over with your significant other if necessary.
4. Decide the best course of action to take with the poor prognosis. Do not do anything that doesn't feel right. Take into consideration the medical advice of the doctor and, if applicable, your significant other.
5. Get a second opinion. If unsure, get a third. The news not being favorable does not mean it is wrong and another opinion is necessary, but if there is any doubt or uncertainty, more opinions are helpful.
6. Talk to others who have been given poor prognoses in the past. It can help to know what someone else did and what she would have done differently. She can give advice based on experiences with her pregnancy.