When it comes to risk there are 3 main types of risk that will impact how you navigate and make decisions during pregnancy.

The three types of risk you will navigate are:
Absolute Risk
Relative Risk
Perceived Risk
Let's take a brief look at each and then we'll load up some resources for a deeper dive in case you want it!
Absolute risk
Absolute risk refers to the actual likelihood of an event occurring in a specific population. For instance, if the absolute risk of developing gestational diabetes during pregnancy is 5%, this means that out of 100 women, 5 are likely to develop this condition.
Think of absolute risk as counting specific instances in a group of 100. If 5 women experience gestational diabetes, it provides a clear picture of that particular possibility, allowing expectant individuals to understand the likelihood based solely on statistics.
Imagine: A basket of apples with 95 red apples and 5 green apples
Relative Risk
Relative risk compares the risk in two different groups. For example, if a study indicates that women who gain more than 40 pounds during pregnancy have a relative risk of developing high blood pressure that is 2 times higher than those who gain less, it highlights how that weight gain can affect risk in comparison to another group.
Imagine two distinct groups or populations being compared. By examining the differences between the two, you can understand how certain factors may influence the likelihood of specific outcomes, effectively illustrating the importance of context in evaluating risk.
Imagine: A basket of apples with 95 red apples and 5 green apples
Perceived Risk
Perceived risk is the subjective judgment someone makes about the likelihood of an event happening. For example, an individual may feel a heightened sense of risk for complications during childbirth after hearing a concerning birth story, even if the actual statistical risk is relatively low.
Consider perceived risk like looking through a tinted lens. The lens may shape your view and amplify certain concerns based on personal experiences or narrative influences, emphasizing that everyone’s understanding of risk can vary, regardless of actual statistical data.
Imagine: A basket of apples with a tinted foggy bent glass lid that warps your ability to see what's actually inside. Your sister tells you it's a basket of flowers, your neighbor tells you it's a basket of fruit, the news tells you it's a basket of snakes, and you look it up in a scientific journal where it is described as A basket of apples can be described as follows:
A collection of Malus domestica specimens, characterized by a spherical morphology, typically exhibiting phenotypic variations in coloration ranging from chromatic red, green, to yellow. Each specimen contains a pericarp, a mesocarp, and a central core that houses seeds, which are the reproductive structures of the plant. This collection resides in woven organic materials, serves as a containment vessel, facilitating the transport and storage of the fruits. The overall arrangement exhibits an aggregate of biotic entities that contribute to ecological diversity and nutritional value.
But you smell it and get the feel for how it moves and look from different perspectives, use your life experiences to inform you, and then sit by yourself and make a decision about what you think it is and how you want to proceed.
Understanding the differences between absolute risk, relative risk, and perceived risk can guide expectant parents to make informed choices. Each type of risk plays a vital role in the multifaceted decision-making process, helping to balance evidence and emotions throughout the journey of pregnancy and childbirth.
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