High-risk pregnancies are those that come with some sort of complication or increased risk of something going wrong. There are many different factors that can make a pregnancy high-risk, and it can vary from woman to woman. High-risk pregnancies may also be referred to as “vulnerable” or “high-end” pregnancies, depending on the source you read.
In this article, you will learn more about what makes a pregnancy high-risk and why. You will also get an overview of the most common high-risk conditions and learn about various resources available for women who find themselves in this situation.
What Makes a Pregnancy High Risk?
There is no universal rule for what constitutes a high-risk pregnancy. The term is used quite loosely in the medical community, and it can mean a lot of different things depending on the situation. In general, a high-risk pregnancy is one where there is an increased risk of complications for the mother and/or the baby. This can happen for a variety of reasons. Sometimes it can happen because of genetic factors, other times it’s because of the mother’s health or lifestyle habits. Sometimes it’s even a combination of multiple factors.
The following list highlights some of the most common factors that make a pregnancy high-risk.
- Low or abnormal fetal heart rate. This is something that doctors are monitoring throughout the pregnancy. Fetal heart rate is a good indicator of how well the baby is doing. If there are abnormalities in the heart rate, it can be an indication that the baby is not growing well.
- Labor and delivery complications. If there are complications during the actual delivery process, it can cause a lot of harm to both the mother and the baby. This can include longer than normal labor, more pain than normal, or other issues related to delivering a baby.
- Amniotic fluid abnormalities. Amniotic fluid is what’s inside the sac surrounding the baby during pregnancy. It’s actually what helps the baby grow, breathe, and stay healthy. If there are abnormalities in the amount or quality of the amniotic fluid, it can pose a risk to the baby’s health.
- Post-delivery complications. Some conditions can only get worse after the baby is born. For example, preeclampsia (high blood pressure during pregnancy) can become eclampsia (high blood pressure after delivery). Another example is gestational diabetes, which can turn into Type 2 diabetes after the baby is born.
High-Risk Conditions During Pregnancy
There are many different high-risk conditions during pregnancy. Some of the most common ones include the following:
- Abnormal Fetal Heart Rate (Abnormal Fetal Heart Rate) – This is when the baby’s heart rate is abnormal, even if it’s in the normal range. This can be a sign that the baby might be in distress.
- Intrauterine Fetal Infection – This occurs when bacteria are able to enter the uterus and infect the baby. It usually happens when the mother has an infection in her cervix or vagina that transfers to the uterus. This is more common in women who have a weakened immune system.
- Gestational Diabetes – This is when a woman has trouble regulating her blood sugar, even though she did not have diabetes before. It usually happens during the second trimester.
- Preterm Labor – This is when a woman goes into labor before 37 weeks of pregnancy.
- Severe Obesity – This occurs when a woman’s body mass index (BMI) is higher than 35. Women who are obese before they become pregnant are more likely to have a baby with abnormalities.
- Infection – Some infections are more likely to happen in pregnant women. These include sexually transmitted infections like syphilis or gonorrhea, urinary tract infections, and bacterial vaginosis. If a woman gets an infection, it can cause preterm labor or even miscarriage.
- Gestational Hypertension – This is when a woman’s blood pressure is higher than what is considered normal for pregnancy. It usually happens after the 20th week of pregnancy.
- Preterm Premature rupture of membranes – This is when the water sac surrounding the baby breaks too early. If this happens, the baby does not get enough oxygen and nutrients from the mother, and it increases the chances of infection in the baby.
- Previous C-section – If a woman has had a C-section before, she is more likely to have another one in her next pregnancy.
- Multiple Pregnancies – If a woman gets pregnant while she already has multiple fetuses, the risk of complications is much higher.
Counseling and Support Resources
Depending on the level of risk in your pregnancy, your high-risk pregnancy physician may recommend seeing a therapist. While everyone needs some level of emotional support at some point in their life, it’s especially important during a high-risk pregnancy. Many women can find comfort in talking to someone who can help them process their feelings and provide a safe space to explore their thoughts. You can also find helpful online support groups where you can connect with other women who are going through the same thing as you.
There are also many pregnancy support groups that you can attend. This can be a good place to meet other pregnant women and share your experiences. Or you may want to consider joining a support group for parents of children with special needs. This way, you can connect with other parents who are going through the same thing as you and get advice from people who know what it’s like.
Tips for Surviving a High-Risk Pregnancy
The best way to survive a high-risk pregnancy is to be as proactive as possible. This includes getting regular prenatal check-ups with high-risk pregnancy physician in Newton and following their recommendations. It’s also a good idea to meet with a therapist on a regular basis to talk about your feelings and process everything. There are also many things you can do to help yourself physically and emotionally during pregnancy. Here’s a list of some things you can do to make things a little easier:
- Stay positive and put your energy towards positive things. This is easier said than done, but it’s important to try your best not to let fear and worry take over.
- Get as much rest as possible. This is especially important if you have a high-risk condition.
- Eat healthy, balanced meals. You still need to eat well even if your appetite is reduced during pregnancy. Be sure to get all the nutrients you need to stay healthy.
- Stay connected with loved ones. It’s important to stay connected to the people who care about you. You will need their support and love during this challenging time.
- Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and healthy.
- Stay mentally active. It’s important to keep your mind engaged so it doesn’t go into a state of worry and depression. Try to keep reading, watching TV, or doing activities that challenge your mind to stay engaged.
Conclusion
Pregnancy is always a stressful time, but it’s even more challenging when you have a high-risk pregnancy. It’s important to take extra care of yourself and follow your doctor’s recommendations. It can also be helpful to talk to someone about how you’re feeling and get support from loved ones.