As an expectant mother, the last thing that you want to hear from your doctor is that your pregnancy is high risk.
Not only is that revelation one that can invoke anxiety and concern, it can bring about a lot of questions about the safety of your baby, as well as yourself.
But, just because you have been diagnosed with a high-risk pregnancy doesn’t mean that you can’t have a healthy, successful pregnancy.
A high-risk pregnancy can put you or your baby at an increased risk of health problems before, during, and after delivery.
Therefore, throughout your pregnancy, your healthcare team should and will carefully monitor you, and they may perform specialized testing to ensure that both you and your baby are safe and healthy.
It’s important to understand the risk factors related to a high-risk pregnancy and be aware of the steps that you can take to take care of both yourself and your baby.
In this article, we will take a closer look at the risk factors, mitigation strategies, and additional testing that play a role in high-risk pregnancy.
Risk Factors for High-Risk Pregnancies
High-risk pregnancies can result from conditions that develop during pregnancy, but many times high-risk pregnancies occur due—at least in-part—to a pre-existing medical condition.
Therefore, it’s crucial to make sure that you talk to your healthcare provider about your full obstetric history.
There are some specific circumstances that may contribute to a high-risk pregnancy:
- Advanced Maternal Age: Mothers over the age of 35 are more likely to experience high-risk pregnancies.
- Lifestyle Choices: Smoking tobacco, drinking alcohol, or using illegal drugs can elevate your risk of complications during pregnancy.
- Maternal Health Problems: A history of high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, thyroid disease, epilepsy, heart and blood disorders, uncontrolled asthma, and infections can increase risk of complications during pregnancy.
- Pregnancy Complications: Some complications that can develop that contribute to high risk pregnancy include: abnormal placenta position, fetal growth restriction (fetal growth less than the 10th percentile for gestational age), and rhesus (Rh) sensation (when the mother’s blood group is Rh-negative and the baby’s blood group is Rh positive).
- Multiple Pregnancies: Your pregnancy risk is higher if you are carrying twins or high-order multiples.
- Pregnancy History: If you have a history of hypertension disorders (preeclampsia, for example), the risk of having the same diagnosis in your subsequent pregnancies increases. Also, if you had a premature birth in a previous pregnancy, you run the risk of premature births in future pregnancies.
Ways to Promote a Healthy Pregnancy
Whether you have a pre-existing condition that you know could lead to a high-risk pregnancy, or you simply want to do everything you can to prevent a high-risk pregnancy, there are things you can do to promote a healthy pregnancy.
If you are not yet pregnant, one way to start your pregnancy journey on the right foot is to schedule a preconception appointment with your healthcare professional.
They may recommend that you start taking a prenatal vitamin containing folic acid and get to a healthy weight before getting pregnant.
If you have a medical condition, you will discuss how your treatment may be adjusted to prepare for pregnancy.
Prenatal care while you are pregnant is essential so that your healthcare provider can monitor the health of you and your baby.
During prenatal appointments, your provider may refer you to another provider specializing in maternal-fetal medicine, genetics, or other relevant specialties.
Special Tests That May Be Recommended
There are several tests your healthcare provider may recommend to monitor the health of your and your baby.
- Targeted or Specialized Ultrasounds: This type of ultrasound is used to target a suspected problem.
- Prenatal cfDNA (cell-free DNA) Screening: This screening uses a sample of the mother’s blood to extract fetal DNA. A lab will then screen the DNA to determine if there is a chance of chromosome abnormalities.
- Amniocentesis: Amniocentesis occurs after 15 weeks of pregnancy. A sample of the amniotic fluid is removed from the uterus and is used to identify specific genetic conditions and abnormalities of the brain or spinal cord.
- Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS): Chorionic Villus Sampling typically takes place between 10-12 weeks of pregnancy. Samples of cells are removed from the placenta and are used to identify specific genetic conditions.
- Cervical Length Ultrasound: This ultrasound measures the length of your cervix. It can determine if you’re at risk of preterm labor.
- Lab Tests: Urine samples will be collected to test for UTIs (urinary tract infections) and other infectious diseases such as syphilis and HIV.
- Biophysical Profile: This ultrasound checks on the baby’s well-being and fetal heart rate monitoring (nonstress test).
Diagnostic tests such as amniocentesis and CVS have a very small risk of pregnancy loss.
You should discuss the benefits and risks of these tests with your healthcare provider, but ultimately, the decision to have these tests run is up to you and your partner.
When to Contact Your Doctor Regarding a High-Risk Pregnancy
You should stay in contact with your healthcare provider to manage medical conditions that you experience during your pregnancy.
In addition, you should contact them immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Vaginal bleeding or watery discharge
- Severe headaches
- Lower abdominal pain or cramping
- A decrease in fetal activity
- Pain or burning while urinating
- Changes in vision, blurred vision
- Sudden swelling of the face, hands, or fingers
- Fever or chills
- Persistent nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness
If you have a high-risk pregnancy, the most important thing to remember is that your doctors have the experience and knowledge to keep you and your baby healthy.
Your medical team is there to help you, so you shouldn’t hesitate to ask any questions you may have.
While a high-risk pregnancy may have ups and downs, try to be positive and take the necessary steps to promote a healthy pregnancy.
Rob Buist Obstetrics specialises in the management of complicated pregnancies.
Services that we offer include – but are not limited to:
- Preconception assessments and advice.
- Assessment and management of recurrent miscarriages.
- Pregnancy care for women with complex medical problems.
- Pregnancy and birth care for women with multiple pregnancies.