High-Risk Pregnancy-What to Expect?

Well, congratulations! You are expecting. It sounds so exciting. You are thrilled on your way to the doctor for your prenatal check-ups. You are eager to hear the heartbeat and see how your little one is growing. However, with this, if your doctor informs you that something is not all right, suddenly things change. It might be anything; the baby is not growing as expected, it is weighing less, maybe your blood pressure is raised, or some lab test does not seem normal. There are many situations which could bring you into the high-risk pregnancy category.

Complications for mothers and babies during delivery may occur for several reasons. The probability of birth complications increases considerably in the case of high-risk pregnancies.

What is considered a high-risk pregnancy?

Pregnancy can be considered high-risk if there are complications that could affect either the mother, her baby, or both. Certain cases require special intervention by specialists and expert doctors to make sure that there is the best possible outcome for both the mother and her baby. Unexpected illnesses or pre-existing diseases may complicate the pregnancy, which, in turn, puts the mother and baby at greater risk.

What are the high-risk factors?

We have detailed a few of the factors that classify pregnancy as a high-risk pregnancy.

What precautions can be taken to ensure a safe delivery?

If you are expecting a baby and are in the high-risk category, here are some guidelines to be followed for a smooth, safe, and healthy pregnancy and delivery:

Good control over illness, proper diet, proper medication, treatment follow-up, and good rest are some of the factors that can surely give you positive pregnancy outcomes. To conclude, high-risk pregnancy must be monitored and managed in a hospital with facilities available for sufficient maternal and foetal care. Jehangir Hospital is one of the leading hospitals in Pune backed by the best team of gynaecologists and obstetricians to provide comprehensive pregnancy care.

1. Teenage pregnancy or pregnancy above the age of 45 years.
2. Women with a history of repeated pregnancy losses, previous preterm delivery, or preeclampsia.
3. Obesity is becoming a major problem these days, which is the main reason for the increased rate of high blood pressure, diabetes, and other complications during pregnancy, like improper foetal growth, birth defects, stillbirth, and blood clots.
4. History of gestational diabetes in the earlier pregnancy or any other medical disorder like psychiatric illness.
5. Pregnancy, placenta previa, preterm premature rupture of membranes, and antepartum bleeding also come under the high-risk category.
6. Women with pre-existing illnesses like hypertension, heart disease, diabetes mellitus, anemia, blood dyscrasia, platelet disorders, hemoglobinopathy, and liver problems.
7. During pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) such as herpes, chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and HIV pose additional risks.
8. Lifestyle choices like drinking, smoking cigarettes, and substance abuse
   1. A pre-pregnancy consultation may help a lot in high-risk cases to control certain health issues to increase the chances of a healthy pregnancy and a healthy child. For example, if a woman has a pre-existing condition like high blood pressure, she must be on proper medication before conception to prepare for the pregnancy.
   2. Regular health check-ups and good prenatal care play a very important role in preventing any harm in the case of high-risk pregnancies.
   3. Recommended tests during pregnancy can help identify any risks associated with pregnancy and can help in planning the treatment plan.
   4. Having a healthy diet is of utmost importance; folic acid, iron, calcium, and other essential nutrients are significantly important. A daily dosage of prenatal vitamins helps as well.
   5. If you have complications during pregnancy, not only diet but also a healthy lifestyle is very important. One should avoid alcoholic drinks, drugs, and smoking.