All pregnancies have some amount of risk associated with them. However there are some pregnancies where the amount of risk to the woman and her fetus is higher. Such a pregnancy is called a high risk pregnancy. Such a pregnancy occurs because of some conditions or health problems that the expectant mother already has or those that she develops during the pregnancy period.
This high risk situation also includes a pregnancy that involves more than one baby or where previous problematic pregnancies are involved. Likewise where the woman is more than 35 years old it may be deemed as a high risk pregnancy.
It is advisable for a woman to discuss any chronic condition that she has with her medical health provider. This can allow the medical team to take measures so as to minimize any risk in the event of pregnancy. Likewise a woman with a health condition will need to be monitored by the medical team. Some conditions that may result in a high risk pregnancy include any heart disease, kidney problems, sexually transmitted diseases, cancer, diabetes, HIV, high blood pressure and autoimmune disorders. Gestational diabetes is another condition that can make a pregnancy a high risk pregnancy.
It is important for women to pay close attention to their nutrition and lead a healthy lifestyle before planning for a pregnancy. Likewise opting for good prenatal care can help in preventing any possible complications. There are some other factors that can make a pregnancy a high risk pregnancy. These factors include being too young or too old to successfully carry the pregnancy and possibility of the woman being overweight or underweight.
The health problems that can develop in the pregnancy period thereby making it a high risk pregnancy include preeclampsia and eclampsia. Preeclampsia is a condition where high blood pressure is accompanied with urinary protein and changes in the blood level of the liver enzymes in the pregnancy. This can affect the kidneys, brain and liver of the mother. With proper treatment this problem can be resolved and women experiencing this condition can deliver healthy babies. If this condition is left untreated then it can be fatal to both the mother and the baby. Eclampsia is a severe type of preeclampsia and it can result in seizures and even coma in the pregnant women.
Gestational diabetes affects pregnant women. It is called gestational diabetes when women who never had diabetes before get it during pregnancy. Following a treatment plan from the doctor these women can have healthy babies. HIV and AIDS damage the immune system and affect the capacity of the body to fight infections. There are treatment plans available that can prevent transmission of this infection from the mother to the infant. Preterm labor is also common in many women. This labor begins before the 37th week of the pregnancy period. Some infections, previous preterm deliveries and shortened cervix may result in preterm birth.
To reduce the possibility of high risk pregnancy it is important that a woman takes some precautions. These include taking around 400 micrograms folic acid each day. Proper immunizations should be done. It is important for the woman to maintain her weight and give up smoking or drinking.
