What is high-risk pregnancy?

Pregnancies involve a certain degree of risk for both mother and baby. Factors present before pregnancy or which develop during pregnancy can place the mother as well as the baby at higher risk for problems. Women with high-risk pregnancies need care from specialists or health care providers to help promote a healthy pregnancy and birth.

Factors present before pregnancy which may increase risk may be as follows:

• Young or old maternal age
• If you are overweight or underweight
• Problems in previous pregnancies, like miscarriage, stillbirth, preterm labor or birth
• Pre-existing health conditions, like high blood pressure, diabetes, or HIV/AIDS

During pregnancy, problems can also develop in a woman who was previously healthy. These may include (but not limited to) gestational diabetes or preeclampsia/eclampsia.

Alarming signs during pregnancy

While most women travel the path to motherhood successfully, always at the back of the minds runs a thought that things may go wrong if they are not careful. Risks in pregnancy include:

• Vaginal bleeding

  Vaginal bleeding or spotting in the first 3 months of pregnancy sets off the alarm bells in the mind of an expectant mother. Bleeding that is accompanied by mild cramps when the uterus enlarges and the cervix is closed may be a sign of a possible abortion. Bleeding may tend to be heavy and the cramps are moderate or severe. Also, if tissue is passed, the uterus enlarged and cervix is open, then condition is symptomatic of a miscarriage. Vaginal bleeding that is accompanied by moderate to severe pain is often confined to one side and fainting could indicate ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy in tube). When a woman is having dysfunctional, variable vaginal bleeding and the uterus is a normal size and cervix is closed, she probably has a hormonal imbalance.

• Pre-eclampsia or toxemia

  Severe, constant headaches in pregnant women accompanied by inordinate weight gain, blurred vision and spots before the eyes, fluid retention, are a symptom of pre-eclampsia or toxemia (i.e. high blood pressure in pregnancy). Sudden swelling of the hands and feet as well as ankles also indicates toxemia. Women having such symptoms need to be hospitalized to bring down blood pressure or for fetal testing. Toxemia can result in complications such as premature labour, inadequate fetal growth, or fetal distress during labour.

• Morning sickness

  Pregnant women are typically affected by morning sickness in the first 3 months. However, incase if a pregnant woman experiences prolonged vomiting over 1 or 2 days, preventing sufficient intake of fluids, then it can lead to dehydration requiring hospitalization.

• Premature labour

  When a pregnant woman is developing fever and chills not accompanied by any symptoms of a cold, she needs to be careful. High fever can be dangerous since it can cause premature labour. A sudden gush of fluid from the vagina can be an indication of premature rupture of the membranes during the last trimester of pregnancy. When this occurs, an infection called amnionitis develops. The symptoms of such an infection include fever, discharge that gives off a bad smell and abdominal pain. This is very dangerous for the fetus.

• Urinary tract infection

  Sometimes pregnant women urinate frequently. They may also feel some kind of discomfort during urination like a burning sensation or a dull pain in lower abdomen at the end of urination. These are symptoms of a urinary tract infection.

• Abdominal pain

  Sudden, severe or continual abdominal pain early during pregnancy can signify a miscarriage. These symptoms late in pregnancy can lead to premature labour.

• Lack of fetal movement

  If a pregnant woman feels a noticeable decrease in fetal movement, then she should consult a doctor immediately since this could indicate fetal distress.