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Understanding High Risk Pregnancy

A pregnancy is deemed high-risk when the mother or baby is at a higher risk of developing a health problem before, after or during delivery. High-risk pregnancies call for early maternal and prenatal care by High Risk Obstetrics specialists.

High risk pregnancy happens as a result of prior medical conditions, foetal complications or abnormalities or critical care issues. Maternal foetal medicine specialists are required to provide early diagnoses and treatments for high-risk pregnancy. They also give special monitoring and advanced prenatal care.

Read on to understand the various signs, symptoms and causes associated with High-Risk pregnancy which falls under High Risk Obstetrics (HRO).

Signs And Symptoms of High-Risk Pregnancy

The usual signs and symptoms of high-risk pregnancy indicates an underlying health condition or potential pregnancy complication. They include:

– Abdominal pain

– Chest Pain

– Decreased or no foetal movement

– Acute fatigue

– Fainting or lightheaded

– Heart Palpitations

– Nausea and Vomiting

– Trouble Breathing

– Chronic headache

– Swelling, redness and pain in limbs

– Vaginal bleeding and discharge

Make sure that you reach out to a doctor in case you experience any of the signs mentioned above. Immediate care is what you will need.

Causes Of High-Risk Pregnancy

High Risk Obstetrics deal with preexisting medical conditions which are the primary reasons for high-risk pregnancy. Lifestyle factors, pregnancy related health concerns or history of previous pregnancies also have a bearing on such conditions. Timely evaluation of these risk factors and immediate prenatal care can ensure you a healthy and safe pregnancy.

Preexisting medical conditions can lead to high-risk pregnancy. They are:

– Autoimmune disease

– Blood Disorders

– Cancer

– Diabetes or endocrine disease

– Fibroids

– Heart Disease

– High blood pressure

– Infectious disease

– Kidney or gastrointestinal disease

– Obesity

– Placental disease

– Pulmonary disease

– Surgical conditions

– Vascular disease

– Emotional or mental health of women

Health conditions that develop during pregnancy may lead to high-risk pregnancy. They include:

– Depression related to depression

– Gestational diabetes

– Uterus shaped irregularly

– Disorder of placenta

– Preeclampsia

Life style choices like alcohol use, drug use and smoking can lead to high-risk pregnancy.

Pregnancy history is also a deciding factor. They include

– Genetic conditions and abnormalities

– Depression

– Previous premature labour or birth

– Poor growth or small foetal size

– Preeclampsia and eclampsia

– Pregnancies with multiples

Hope you found this information helpful to navigate your impending high-risk pregnancy.