Every woman hopes for a smooth pregnancy and delivery. For most, this is exactly what happens. However, some women face unexpected difficulties and complications, often referred to as “high-risk pregnancy.”
In this article, we will discuss in detail about hih-risk pregnagncy and how to diagnose high-risk pregnancy.
What is a High-Risk Pregnancy?
The term high-risk pregnancy suggests that to have a healthy and successful pregnancy and delivery, extra care is needed. This means you might need specialised maternity specialists like a Maternal-Foetal Medicine (MFM) specialistfor an easy pregnancy.
Most women with chronic illnesses may fall into the high-risk category. Moreover, here are some factors that make you more susceptible to a high-risk pregnancy:
1.Preexisting health conditions: People with conditions like autoimmune diseases (such as lupus or multiple sclerosis), diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney disease, and HIV/AIDS may face increased risks during pregnancy.
2.Pregnancy-related health conditions:Pregnant women with poor foetal growth, gestational diabetes, and preeclampsia can also have high-risk pregnancies.
3.Lifestyle factors:Common lifestyle factors like smoking, drug addiction, and alcoholism can exposure you to certain toxins and can contribute to a high-risk pregnancy.
4.Age: Being over 35 or under 17 when pregnant can also increase the risk.
cIf you experience any concerning symptoms during pregnancy, consult your doctor immediately.
How to Diagnose a High-Risk Pregnancy?
You can diagnose and manage high-risk pregnancies with regular prenatal care that includes blood tests and ultrasounds. These tests offer thorough evaluations of maternal health, complications, foetal development, and genetics to identify potential risks early on.
Here are some tests that help diagnose high-risk pregnancy:
- Antenatal foetal heart rate test.
- Foetal echocardiograms to check foetal heart conditions with paediatric cardiology.
- Doppler ultrasound measures foetal blood flow using ultrasound.
- Amniocentesis tests look for amniotic fluid that detects chromosomal disorders and genetic issues.
- Foetal blood tests check for blood-related conditions using foetal or umbilical cord blood.
These tests help detect any issues promptly so that appropriate treatments can be provided.
How to Manage a High-Risk Pregnancy?
- Regular visits with your obstetrician-gynaecologist (ob-gyn)
- Consultations with a perinatologist who specialises in Maternal-Foetal Medicine (MFM)
- Utilisation of advanced ultrasound technology for detailed prenatal evaluations
- Monitoring foetal growth and development closely
- Prescription of medications when necessary
- Home monitoring of vital signs
- Supportive care from caring OB/gyns and MFM specialists
- Coordinated referrals to other specialists as needed.
Conclusion
There are a variety of factors that make a pregnancy high risk. These include age and certain health conditions, all of which have been mentioned above. If you have a high-risk pregnancy, you may need extra care during and after pregnancy. Moreover, you should get thorough prenatal care. Furthermore, it’s important to stay in close communication with your healthcare provider to reduce your risk of pregnancy complications.
