Giving birth to a child is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful things in the world. Most people, who even don’t think they ever want children during their youth, end up having or wanting kids after reaching a certain age.
However, pregnancy is not an easy thing. The women that go through pregnancy and give birth have to endure months of pain and discomfort but they do it to bring life into the world. But, sometimes the labour can become riskier and lead to several complications.
But, what is a high-risk pregnancy? What causes high-risk pregnancies? What are the potential complications of a high-risk pregnancy? Let’s take a look at all these questions, and more, below.
What is a high-risk pregnancy?
First of all, you need to understand that every pregnancy has some form of risk. But, it is usually small and managed by your doctor.
With high-risk pregnancies, there might be a higher health risk to the fetus, pregnant person, or both of them. To manage them, a high risk obstetrician will take extra care before, during, and after labour to make sure both the baby and the person giving birth are safe.
What are the causes of high-risk pregnancies?
Every birth mother and child have a special bond, one that the babies can’t develop with their other parent. But to get that bond, you have to go through pregnancy.
While sometimes people make mistakes that lead to pregnancies, the common causes of high-risk pregnancies below can help you plan yours.
Some of the common reasons for high-risk pregnancies are:
- Pre-existing health conditions. These could be anything, and only your doctor will be able to tell whether your condition will or can affect your pregnancy.
- Age. Many medical professionals believe that ages above 17 and below 35 should have the least number of risks.
- Lifestyle. By smoking, drinking alcohol, being exposed to toxic chemicals, or abusing drugs, the risks of pregnancies can be higher.
However, the above reasons shouldn’t discourage you from planning your pregnancy. You can always consult with a medical professional who specializes in risky pregnancies.
What are the potential complications of high-risk pregnancies?
While the list below may be scary, you should understand the chances of that happening are low if your doctor says you don’t have any of the common causes of high-risk pregnancies. Even if you do, there are always ways to manage your pregnancy by working with the right medical professionals.
Some of the potential complications are:
- Miscarriage
- Stillbirth
- Birth defects
- Low or high birth weight
- Need for intensive care for the person giving birth or the baby
- Early delivery
- High blood pressure
- Seizures
- Excessive bleeding during or after labour and delivery
How do doctors diagnose high-risk pregnancies?
If you want to be careful and find out how risky your pregnancy could be, then you should go to the doctor as early as possible for prenatal care.
That would involve getting the right pregnancy nutrition and medical examinations. Your doctor will take a detailed history of your health and previous pregnancies if there were any.
If your obstetrician believes your pregnancy might be risker, they may ask you to do blood tests, urine tests, ultrasonography, and a biophysical profile, among other things.
Robert Haynes, a psychology graduate from the University of Hertfordshire, has a keen interest in the fields of mental health, wellness, and lifestyle.
