What is High-risk pregnancy? Know what to expect

A high-risk pregnancy means when a woman has more than one-two complication that can lead to health problems for the mother or the baby and can also lead to premature delivery. Not only during the pregnancy but the mother and baby will also need care post-delivery. If your pregnancy is termed high risk, you should consult a highly professional team of doctors to see your case. Medical care can help you have a standard delivery and a healthy baby. At least 20 to 30 percent of pregnancies in India are categorized under high-risk pregnancies.

There are many reasons why a woman can have a high-risk pregnancy –

1. Pre-existing health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, thyroid disease, asthma, etc., and other infections or allergies can increase the risk.
2. If the woman is below the age of 18 or above the age of 35, pregnancy risks can be higher.
3. Lifestyle complications also affect and lead to high-risk pregnancy. For example, if the mother smokes or drinks or even consumes drugs, it can probably lead to health complications.
4. There can be several pregnancy complications such as abnormal placenta position, rhesus sensitization, reduced fetal growth or fetal growth less than 10 percentile for gestational age, etc. are considered pregnancy complications and increase the high risk.
5. There is also high-risk pregnancy when a woman is carrying more than 1 baby in the womb.
6. If your last pregnancy was not great or had many complications and you didn’t have a normal delivery, then the same problems can occur in your current pregnancy, and you can have a high-risk pregnancy.

These were some of the reasons why your pregnancy may be considered a high-risk pregnancy.

What are symptoms of high-risk pregnancy –

1. Vaginal bleeding

2. Severe headaches

3. Decreased or no fetal activity

4. Fever

5. Dizziness

6. Pain or burning sensation while peeing

7. Sudden swelling in the face and other body parts etc.

Generally, if you have high-risk pregnancies, you should seek medical care, and other than that, you need to improve your lifestyle. Here are some tips which you can follow to take care of your high-risk pregnancy –

1. Encircle yourself with family and friends during this period and convey your demands. You may be experiencing lifestyle adjustments as a result of your health, requiring you to reduce your commitments and obligations. Have a solid team of medical professionals, as well as family and friends, to guide you through your pregnancy.
2. Pay attention to what your body is telling you. Allow yourself to rest if you require it. Because your body is working tirelessly to create a fetus, you may not have as much energy as you do now. If you see anything out of the ordinary, make an appointment with your gynecologist as soon as possible.
3. Obesity during pregnancy can lead to a variety of health problems and complications. Therefore, maintaining a healthy weight before and during your pregnancy is essential for a successful pregnancy. Eating a balanced diet and remaining physically active is crucial for pregnant women.
4. Additional tests may be required to assess the baby’s health and development. A biophysical profile or focused ultrasound are two examples of these tests that provide specialists with more specific information than routine testing.

So, these were some of how you can manage your high-risk pregnancy. The most important thing is to stay positive, confident, and happy throughout the pregnancy and follow whatever your doctor suggests.

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