High-risk pregnancy: Know what to expect
Mostly, in High-Risk Pregnancies, special monitoring or care throughout pregnancy is required and advised. Let us know some risk factors of high-risk pregnancy here and also a bit about what all points are to be taken care of so that you and your baby both are fit and fine. In case of any issues, book your consult with the most trusted Gynecologist of Noida, Dr. Uma Mishra.
Risk factors for a high-risk pregnancy?
Expecting mothers frequently ask- Is high-risk pregnancy always assessed only after I get Pregnant? No, High-Risk Pregnancy may be due to medical conditions present before pregnancy. But some medical conditions get developed during pregnancy which makes a pregnancy become high-risk pregnancy.
So, You Gynecologist at the preconception counseling stage also can examine and review your history and finding and tell you that your pregnancy is a high-risk pregnancy and it will require special care and monitoring. However, in some cases, based on Ultrasound or other scans, and diagnostic test results also, she can tell you about the increased risk in pregnancy. Expecting mothers should carefully listen to the doctor and plan things accordingly to reduce or eliminate the risks.
The risk factors which are likely to make a pregnancy a high-risk pregnancy include the following:
- Advanced maternal age: Are you an expecting mother older than 35 years? If so, you are in advanced maternal age and your pregnancy may fall in high-risk pregnancy zone.
- Maternal health problems: Following maternal health problems increase the risk during pregnancy are required to be properly managed by your Gynecologist:
- High Blood Pressure (B.P.)
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Epilepsy
- Thyroid disease
- Heart diseases or disorders
- Blood diseases or disorders
- Asthma
- Vaginal Infections
- Pregnancy complications: Some complications that develop during pregnancy like following increase the risk and special precautions and care are required in such cases:
- Unusual placenta position
- Retarded Fetal growth
- Rhesus (Rh) sensitization — Particularly when blood group of mother is is Rh (-) baby’s blood group is Rh (+).
- Multiple pregnancy: That is when youcarry more than one fetus.
- History of High-Risk Pregnancy: Be cautious and consult your doctor in case you had a history of pregnancy-related hypertension disorders including preeclampsia. History of single or multiple premature births should be shared with your Gynecologist. In such cases, your Gynecologist thoroughly searches for the causes based on examination and diagnostic tests so that the risks can be minimised or controlled.
- Lifestyle choices: Smoking, Drinking, Drug Abuse also increase the risk in pregnancy.
What steps can I take to promote a healthy pregnancy?
Whether you know ahead of time that you’ll have a high-risk pregnancy or you simply want to do whatever you can to prevent a high-risk pregnancy, stick to the basics. For example:
- Schedule a preconception appointment. If you’re thinking about becoming pregnant, consult your health care provider. Your provider might counsel you to start taking a daily prenatal vitamin with folic acid and reach a healthy weight before you become pregnant. If you have a medical condition, your treatment might be adjusted in preparation for pregnancy. Your health care provider might also discuss your risk of having a baby with a genetic condition.
- Seek regular prenatal care. Prenatal visits can help your health care provider monitor your health and your baby’s health. You might be referred to a specialist in maternal-fetal medicine, genetics, pediatrics or other areas.
- Avoid risky substances. If you smoke, quit. Alcohol and illegal drugs are off-limits, too. Talk to your health care provider about any medications or supplements you’re taking.
Do I need special tests?
Depending on the circumstances, your health care provider might recommend:
- Specialized or targeted ultrasound. This type of fetal ultrasound — an imaging technique that uses high-frequency sound waves to produce images of a baby in the uterus — targets a suspected problem, such as development that’s not typical.
- Prenatal cell-free DNA (cfDNA) screening. During this procedure, DNA from the mother and fetus is extracted from a maternal blood sample and the fetal DNA is screened for the increased chance of specific chromosome problems.
- Invasive genetic screening. Your health care provider might recommend amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling (CVS). During amniocentesis, a sample of the fluid that surrounds and protects a baby during pregnancy (amniotic fluid) is withdrawn from the uterus. Typically done after week 15 of pregnancy, amniocentesis can identify certain genetic conditions as well as serious problems of the brain or spinal cord (neural tube defects).
During CVS, a sample of cells is removed from the placenta. Typically done between weeks 10 and 12 of pregnancy, CVS can identify certain genetic conditions.
- Ultrasound for cervical length. Your health care provider might use an ultrasound to measure the length of your cervix at prenatal appointments to determine if you’re at risk of preterm labor.
- Lab tests. Your health care provider will test your urine for urinary tract infections and screen you for infectious diseases such as HIV and syphilis.
- Biophysical profile. This prenatal ultrasound is used to check on a baby’s well-being. It might involve only an ultrasound to evaluate fetal well-being or, depending on the results of the ultrasound, also fetal heart rate monitoring (nonstress test).
Some prenatal diagnostic tests — such as amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling — carry a small risk of pregnancy loss. The decision to pursue these tests is up to you and your partner. Discuss the risks and benefits with your health care provider.
What else do I need to know about high-risk pregnancy?
Talk to your health care provider about how to manage any medical conditions you have during pregnancy and how your health might affect labor and delivery. Contact your health care provider if you have:
- Vaginal bleeding or watery vaginal discharge
- Severe headaches
- Pain or cramping in the lower abdomen
- Decreased fetal activity
- Pain or burning with urination
- Changes in vision, including blurred vision
- Sudden or severe swelling in the face, hands or fingers
- Fever or chills
- Vomiting or persistent nausea
- Dizziness
- Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby
A high-risk pregnancy might have ups and downs. Do your best to stay positive as you take steps to promote a healthy pregnancy.