Various factors can cause it; A pre-existing condition or pregnancy-related complication can classify the pregnancy as ‘high-risk. Some of these causes are listed:
Diabetes, hypertension, thyroid disease, autoimmune disease, and other chronic diseases pose a higher risk to pregnant women. The placenta may cause problems, or the baby may develop disabilities. For instance, poorly managed diabetes can lead to a high birth weight or breathing issues for the baby.
Some conditions develop only during pregnancy; examples are gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, gestational hypertension, etc. Preeclampsia increases blood pressure and poses risks to the mother and fetus, if not managed, can be very life-threatening.
Maternal age is a significant factor. Those women who are below 18 years of age or above 35 years of age are considered to be at high risk due to age complications.
Cohort one (below 18) women may have problems resulting from an immature reproductive system, while cohort two (above 35) women have a higher prevalence of chromosomal abnormalities such as Down syndrome, besides other complications like gestational diabetes and high blood pressure.
Where a woman has had one or more preterm births, miscarriages, or other problems that can occur during pregnancy or childbirth, her risk is higher in subsequent pregnancies. For example, a history of miscarriage can be associated with such complications as incompetent cervical os, which if not detected, may cause preterm labor.
Having twins, triplets, or more exposes the body to additional pressure in that they are likely to develop complications such as premature labor, gestational diabetes, and preeclampsia. It also puts pressure on the uterus, making it easier for one to deliver prematurely since the body cannot carry the baby up to term.
This is because some lifestyles, which include smoking, alcohol intake, illicit drugs, and poor diet exposure, can increase pregnancy complications. The factors mentioned above may lead to problems in fetal development and, therefore, low birth weight, preterm birth, or other complications. For instance, smoking constricts blood vessels in the placenta and hence decreases the amount of oxygen reaching the baby.
Not all women with high-risk pregnancies show symptoms of complications, but here are some of the signs that denote a risky pregnancy. Expectant mothers should remain vigilant and promptly inform their healthcare provider if they experience any of the following:
Hyperemesis gravidarum is another manifestation of the common complaint of nausea and vomiting as a feature of morning sickness. Severe though rare, it can lead to dehydration and deficiencies in vitamins, minerals, and electrolytes that are important in fetal development.
Bleeding or spotting in pregnancy can be very serious and should not be taken lightly at all. Abnormal CT abolishes are often indicative of problems such as placental malfunction, cervical alterations, or miscarriage, especially during the first or second trimester.
A sudden increase in weight or rapid weight gain, especially when they are accompanied by edema, especially of the face, hand, and feet, can signify preeclampsia, which is a dangerous condition for the woman and her unborn child.
Persistent Headaches or Changes in Vision: Such could also be signs of preeclampsia, particularly if there are other signs such as swelling or stomach ache.
Persistent or sharp pain in the abdominal region, especially in the upper right part of the abdomen, may herald problems with liver involvement in preeclampsia or even other serious problems such as placental abruption.
Up to 28 weeks, the baby usually moves frequently, but after that, if the mother notices a sudden decrease in movement, it indicates that the baby is distressed and should visit her doctor immediately.
A high-risk pregnancy is best handled with a lot of anticipation and checkups with several inferences throughout the whole process. Here are the key components of managing such pregnancies:
This is because regular check-ups are very crucial to observe any changes that may occur in the health of the mother and the baby. Regular check-ups help monitor both maternal and fetal health.
Modern techniques such as ultrasounds are employed in the close monitoring of the growth of the fetus, the amount of amniotic fluid, as well as the functioning of the placenta. Doctors perform more ultrasound scans in high-risk pregnancies to evaluate the fetus's growth and development.
Doctors may suggest more blood tests and imaging like NIPT or amniocentesis to rule out chromosomal or genetic disorders.
More blood investigations and imaging like NIPT or amniocentesis could be suggested to rule out any chromosomal or genetic disorders.
If the mother has other coexisting diseases such as hypertensive diseases or diabetes mellitus. Doctors use drugs to control diseases such as hypertension or diabetes during pregnancy. In some cases, they are also given for prophylactic purposes: anticoagulant therapy for women, who may have some potential for clotting disorders.
For specific risks or precautions that need to be taken, it may be recommended that the woman change her diet or reduce her activities, take it easy, or avoid activities that might lead to preterm labor and other complications that can be worked off through prenatal yoga and meditation, among others.
Doctors may admit the patient to the hospital for constant supervision in some cases. This is more so where there is suspicion of preterm labor, placenta abnormality, or ill health of the mother.
A high-risk pregnancy is emotionally draining in many instances. Thus, it is crucial to have some support and close people around a woman, as well as, if necessary, turn to support groups where women with similar problems are grouped. All these have powerful emotional support that reduces anxiety and stress while enhancing reassurance and comprehension at all phases.
Though the pregnancy may be considered high-risk, wherein it may cause more concern and stress, reaching a healthy pregnancy and baby is still possible. But, speaking of today’s highly developed field of maternal-fetal medicine, the prognosis of high-risk pregnancies has changed dramatically for the better. The core of prenatal care is the constant check-up, sharing the information with doctors, and adherence to the given recommendations. Thus, mothers-to-be can go through this path with confidence and no stress, considering the potential difficulties and relying on a strong support system.
+91 8828828100
Previous
Next
