Participating in Your Care

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During a high-risk pregnancy, you may meet different healthcare professionals, receive new information, and make decisions about your care.

You may wonder:

• How can I take part in decisions about my pregnancy?
• What if I do not understand a recommendation?
• Can I ask about other options?
• What should I do between appointments?

You have a voice in your pregnancy care.

Your healthcare team brings medical knowledge and experience. You bring important information about your health, daily life, concerns, and preferences.

Working together can help you understand your options and make informed decisions.

You do not need to know medical terms or have all the answers to participate.

1. Understanding Your Care Plan

A care plan describes the tests, appointments, treatments, and other steps recommended for your pregnancy.

Your plan may include:

• Appointments with your regular OB-GYN or MFM specialist.
• Ultrasounds or other monitoring.
• Medicines or changes to your treatment.
• Follow-up tests or visits.
• Plans for where or when you may give birth.

Not everyone has the same care plan.

Your plan may change as your pregnancy progresses or new information becomes available.

A change in your care plan does not, by itself, tell you what the results mean.

Ask your healthcare team to explain what changed and why.

Four Questions to Remember

Use the same questions introduced in Lesson 3:

WHAT? What happens next?

WHY? Why is it recommended?

WHEN? When should it happen?

WHO? Who should I contact with questions?

These questions can help you understand your next steps, even when your care plan feels complicated.

2. Preparing for Your Appointments

You do not need to prepare perfectly for every appointment.

A few simple steps may help you make the most of your time.

Before Your Visit

You can:

• Write down your most important questions.
• Keep a list of medicines and supplements you take.
• Bring information or records your clinic requests.
• Think about any concerns you want to discuss.
• Ask for a qualified medical interpreter when scheduling, if needed.

If transportation, childcare, work, or cost makes attending appointments difficult, tell your healthcare team or clinic staff.

They may be able to explain available options or connect you with resources.

During Your Visit

You can:

• Ask questions.
• Request simpler explanations.
• Take notes or ask a support person to help, if allowed.
• Ask your healthcare team to repeat important information.
• Ask whether your instructions will be given in writing or added to your patient portal later.

It is okay to say, “I don't understand. Could you explain that another way?”

3. Taking Part in Decisions

Your healthcare team may recommend a test, treatment, or change in your care plan.

You can ask about the recommendation before making a decision.

For example:

• Why are you recommending this?
• What are the possible benefits and risks?
• Are there other options?
• What might happen if I choose not to have it?
• How much time do I have to decide?

Some decisions are time-sensitive. Ask whether a decision needs to be made right away or whether you have time to consider your options.

Your Preferences Matter

You may have concerns about cost, transportation, work, family responsibilities, language, or personal beliefs.

Sharing these concerns can help your healthcare team understand what is important to you.

Participating in decisions does not mean you must make medical decisions alone.

Your healthcare team can explain your options and help you understand the possible outcomes.

You can also ask for additional explanation or a second opinion when appropriate.

4. Making Sure You Understand

Medical information can be difficult to remember, especially when you receive a lot of it during one appointment.

Before leaving, you can ask your healthcare team to review the most important instructions.

One helpful approach is to explain the plan back in your own words.

For example:

“I want to make sure I understood. My next ultrasound is on Tuesday, and I should call my OB-GYN if I have concerns before then. Is that correct?”

This is sometimes called teach-back.

It helps you and your healthcare team check that the instructions are clear.

You can also ask:

• Can I get these instructions in writing?
• Will they be available in my patient portal?
• Can I receive them in my preferred language?

If something is unclear, ask again. You deserve information you can understand.

5. Knowing What to Do Between Visits

Your care plan continues between appointments.

Depending on your healthcare team's instructions, you may need to take medicines, attend testing appointments, or follow other recommendations.

Before leaving a visit, make sure you know:

• When your next appointment or test is scheduled.
• How and when you will receive results.
• Which symptoms or changes you should report.
• Whom to contact first, including after hours. This is usually your regular OB-GYN or pregnancy care team, unless you have been given different instructions.

If you have symptoms that worry you, do not wait for your next appointment or test results.

Contact your regular OB-GYN or pregnancy care team for guidance, unless you have been given different instructions.

If you need urgent medical attention and cannot reach your care team, seek urgent medical care. For a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number.

Words to Know

Care plan: The tests, appointments, treatments, and other steps recommended for your pregnancy.

Informed decision: A decision made after understanding the available options and their possible benefits, risks, and limitations.

Shared decision-making: When you and your healthcare team discuss medical options and your preferences to make decisions together.

Teach-back: Explaining instructions in your own words so you and your healthcare team can check that they are clear.

The Main Point

You can take part in your pregnancy care by asking questions, sharing your concerns and preferences, understanding your care plan, and knowing what happens next.

You do not need to manage everything alone.

Questions to Ask Your Healthcare Team

Choose the questions that matter most to you.

• What is the most important thing I should understand about my care plan?
• Why are you recommending this test or treatment?
• What are my options, and what are their benefits and risks?
• How much time do I have to make a decision?
• Can you explain the instructions in simpler words?
• How can I get a written copy of my care plan or visit instructions?
• Who should I contact first if I have a concern—my regular OB-GYN or the MFM clinic?

You can request a qualified medical interpreter when discussing your care or making decisions.

A Moment to Reflect

Optional — for your personal reflection.

What is one question or concern you would like to bring to your next healthcare appointment?

You may think about your answer or write it in your own notebook or a printable question sheet.

GestaClara doesn't collect or see your answer.

You've Completed the GestaClara Introductory Course

You have explored six important topics:

1. Understanding high-risk pregnancy.
2. Meeting your MFM care team.
3. Preparing for your first MFM visit.
4. Understanding pregnancy tests and monitoring.
5. Finding emotional and practical support.
6. Participating in your care.

You do not need to remember everything.

You can return to these lessons whenever you want to review a topic or prepare for an appointment.

Your questions matter. Your preferences matter. Understanding your care matters.

Thank you for learning with GestaClara.