High-risk pregnancies have more chances of caesarean section; though the trial of labour can be given depending on the risk to mother and fetus.
What is a high-risk pregnancy?
A high-risk pregnancy is the one in which the chances of having complications are higher than in most other cases. It needs strict antenatal monitoring and frequent checkups as compared to a pregnancy that does not involve risks of any kind.
Which all conditions are called high-risk pregnancy?
Dr Yaschica Gudesar, Head of Department, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, HCMCT Manipal Hospitals explains that in the below-mentioned conditions or in case of the person suffering from any of these, a pregnancy can be classified as a high-risk one.
Elderly Primigravida (1st pregnancy at the age 35 yrs or above); diabetes mellitus, hypertension, placenta previa, jaundice in pregnancy, previous preterm deliveries (bad obstetrics history), severe anaemia, thrombocytopenia, heart disease, kidney disorder, previous 2 or 3 caesareans, IVF conception, HIV positive pregnancy, Hepatitis B positive pregnancy, previous malignancy, fibroid uterus, uterine anomalies, fetal anomalies, age on delivery less than 16 years, obese, twin or multiple pregnancies, Rh Negative pregnancy.
Reasons for high-risk?
- Smoking
- Unhealthy lifestyle
- Obesity
- Fibroid uterus
- Delayed detection of medical complications in pregnancy
Why do we have more high-risk pregnancy nowadays?
While the reasons could be many and sometimes even unaccounted for, a few are mentioned below:
- An increasing rate of late marriages
- Late age of conception
- Infertility treatments and IVF conceptions.
- Increase in pre-pregnancy risk factors such as obesity, hypertension, thyroid disorders and diabetes mellitus. Pregnancy complications like gestational diabetes mellitus, pre-eclampsia, increase cases of birth defects, placenta previa have increased over the years.
How to prevent complications in high-risk pregnancy?
- Good antenatal care from a qualified doctor and planning delivery in a specialized centre is the key to a successful outcome.
- Detecting complications early might help us to delay them to a stage where if delivery is required to be done prior to term, the baby is out of danger.
- Pre-conceptional checkup and treatment even before conception can be considered.
- Only a healthy body can support a healthy pregnancy. So, a healthy lifestyle, fitness are some factors that need to be taken care of before planning to conceive.
- One can opt for prenatal vitamins
What complication can we expect during labour?
A high-risk pregnancy can be anticipated with labour complications. Prolonged labour, shoulder dystocia, retained placenta, uterine inversion, rupture uterus, perineal tear, intrauterine growth restriction, pre-term labour are very common complications in high-risk deliveries.
High-risk pregnancies have more chances of caesarean section; though the trial of labour can be given depending on the risk to mother and fetus.
Effect of high-risk pregnancy on the baby is low birth weight baby, preterm baby, premie babies, intrauterine death, prolonged nursery stay and asphyxia and malformations in the baby.
A complication can occur in all three trimesters. However, third-trimester complications can be fatal. Placenta Praevia, Placenta Accreta, PPH, uterine rupture, inversion and hypertensive crisis.
Point to note, any low-risk pregnancy can become high risk at the time of delivery. And it is not necessary that all high risk will have complications in third trimester and during delivery.
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