Managing a High-Risk Pregnancy: Essential Tips for Expecting Mothers

What Is a High-Risk Pregnancy?

A high-risk pregnancy occurs when the mother or foetus has an increased likelihood of health complications before, during, or after delivery. Some pregnancies start as low-risk but become high-risk over time, while others are classified as high-risk from the beginning due to pre-existing conditions or lifestyle factors.

Several factors can contribute to a high-risk pregnancy, including advanced maternal age (over 35), lifestyle choices such as smoking or alcohol use, a history of pregnancy complications, and pre-existing health conditions like obesity or high blood pressure. These factors can increase the chances of complications, requiring closer monitoring and specialised care.

Although the term high-risk pregnancy may sound concerning, it simply means extra precautions are needed to ensure the best possible outcome. With early detection, specialised prenatal care, and guidance from a maternal-fetal medicine specialist, many high-risk pregnancy symptoms can be managed effectively, helping both mother and baby stay safe and healthy.

Common Causes and Risk Factors of High-Risk Pregnancy

A pregnancy is considered high-risk when the mother or baby has an increased chance of complications. Several factors can contribute to this, including maternal age, medical conditions, lifestyle choices, and multiple gestations. Here's a look at some of the common causes of high-risk pregnancy.

• Maternal Age: Pregnancy risks are higher for mothers under 17 or over 35. Older women are more prone to miscarriage and genetic abnormalities, such as Down syndrome.
• Medical Conditions: Chronic illnesses like high blood pressure, diabetes, and autoimmune disorders can lead to complications. Obesity increases the risk of gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and delivery issues. HIV/AIDS requires special precautions to reduce the risk of transmission to the baby.
• Lifestyle and Environmental Factors: Smoking, alcohol, and drug use can cause birth defects and developmental problems. Exposure to toxic chemicals and radiation can harm fetal growth and development.
• Multiple Gestation: Carrying twins or more increases the risk of preterm labour and low birth weight, requiring closer monitoring.

Other high-risk pregnancy symptoms to watch for include vaginal bleeding, persistent nausea/vomiting, and decreased fetal movement. By understanding the types of high-risk pregnancy and recognizing early warning signs, you can seek medical attention promptly and improve pregnancy outcomes.

Medical Conditions That Can Lead to High-Risk Pregnancies

Certain health conditions, either pre-existing or developed during pregnancy, can increase the odds of pregnancy complications. These include:

• Diabetes: Uncontrolled blood sugar levels can lead to birth defects, macrosomia (very large baby), and preterm delivery. Gestational diabetes, which arises during pregnancy, affects 2-10% of pregnancies annually.
• High Blood Pressure: Chronic hypertension strains the mother's heart and kidneys, and can restrict foetal growth. It also raises the risk of preeclampsia, a potentially serious complication.
• Obesity: Being significantly overweight (BMI over 30) makes you more prone to gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and cesarean delivery. Obesity affects over 20% of pregnant women.
• Autoimmune Disorders: Conditions like lupus, multiple sclerosis, and thyroid disease can flare up during pregnancy, endangering mother and baby.

If you have a medical condition, collaborate closely with your prenatal care provider and any specialists to keep it well-controlled. Often, adjusting medications and monitoring your health vigilantly can prevent serious high-risk pregnancy symptoms and keep your baby thriving.

Lifestyle Factors and Their Impact on Pregnancy Risk

Your daily choices play a big role in shaping a healthy pregnancy. To reduce the causes of high risk pregnancy, consider these lifestyle shifts:

• Quit Smoking: Secondhand smoke exposure is equally harmful. Resources like nicotine replacement and counseling can help you quit.
• Avoid Alcohol: There's no known safe amount of alcohol in pregnancy. Drinking raises the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, and foetal alcohol spectrum disorders.
• Manage Weight Gain: Obesity tops the high-risk pregnancy list, but excessive weight gain in any expectant mom can lead to complications.
• Get Moving: Unless you're advised otherwise, staying active with low-impact exercises like walking and swimming is great for your physical and mental well-being. Even 15 minutes a day can lower your risk of gestational diabetes and boost your mood.

Making healthy lifestyle changes isn't always easy, especially with pregnancy fatigue and food cravings. But know that every positive step helps protect you and your baby.

How Is a High-Risk Pregnancy Diagnosed?

A high risk pregnancy is diagnosed through various prenatal tests and evaluations. Your doctor will likely recommend specialised ultrasounds, such as foetal echocardiograms, to closely monitor your baby's development and check for any pregnancy complications or abnormalities. Genetic screening tests like amniocentesis, chorionic villus sampling (CVS), and cell-free DNA screening may also be advised to detect chromosomal issues or inherited disorders that can cause a high-risk pregnancy.

If you have any high-risk pregnancy symptoms like vaginal bleeding, severe abdominal pain, persistent nausea and vomiting, or reduced foetal movement, consult your doctor immediately for prompt diagnosis and care.

Monitoring and Managing a High-Risk Pregnancy

Managing a high-risk pregnancy requires specialised care and close monitoring to ensure the well-being of both the mother and baby. In addition to your obstetrician, you may need to consult a maternal-foetal medicine specialist (perinatologist) who is trained to handle pregnancy complications. This extra level of care helps detect and address potential issues before they become serious.

Prenatal care for high-risk pregnancies typically involves more frequent check-ups, sometimes every two to four weeks, depending on the condition. Regular ultrasounds help track foetal growth, monitor amniotic fluid levels, and assess placental function. Prenatal testing, such as non-invasive prenatal screening (NIPT), amniocentesis, or chorionic villus sampling (CVS), may be recommended to check for genetic abnormalities. Your doctor will also monitor vital signs, including blood pressure, blood sugar levels, and weight gain, to detect complications early.

Depending on the cause and type of high-risk pregnancy, medications may be prescribed to manage conditions like diabetes, hypertension, or thyroid imbalances. Additionally, lifestyle modifications play a crucial role in reducing risks. Eating a nutritious diet, staying hydrated, getting enough rest, and avoiding alcohol and tobacco can help improve pregnancy outcomes.

In some cases, planned early delivery or a C-section may be necessary to prevent pregnancy complications and ensure the safety of both mother and baby.

Tips for a Healthy Pregnancy: Reducing Risks

While some high-risk pregnancy factors like age and medical history are not in your control, there's still a lot you can do to improve outcomes for you and your baby:

• Schedule a preconception check-up to screen for any health issues
• Take prenatal vitamins with folic acid to prevent birth defects
• Eat a well-balanced diet with plenty of fruits, veggies, whole grains and lean protein
• Exercise regularly as approved by your doctor to maintain fitness
• Get enough sleep and manage stress with relaxation techniques
• Attend all prenatal appointments and openly discuss any concerns
• Be aware of high-risk pregnancy symptoms and report them promptly
• Avoid exposure to harmful substances, infections and environmental toxins

Maintaining a healthy weight through diet and exercise is especially important, as obesity increases the risk of gestational diabetes, preeclampsia and other complications on the high-risk pregnancy list. Aim to gain the recommended amount of weight based on your pre-pregnancy BMI.

When to Seek Medical Help During a High-Risk Pregnancy

Any troubling high-risk pregnancy symptoms warrant immediate medical attention to prevent potential complications for you and your baby. Seek urgent care if you experience:

• Vaginal bleeding or watery discharge
• Persistent abdominal pain or cramping
• Severe headaches or vision changes
• Burning sensation during urination
• Sudden swelling in the face, hands or feet
• Fever over 101°F (38°C)
• Persistent vomiting and inability to keep food down
• Reduced or absent fetal movement

Don't hesitate to contact your doctor even if a symptom seems minor - it's always better to err on the side of caution. Attend all scheduled appointments and maintain open communication with your healthcare team.

Conclusion

Navigating a high-risk pregnancy can feel overwhelming, but with proper medical care, lifestyle changes and precautions, you can maximise the chances of a safe and healthy outcome.

As a trusted name in diagnostic testing, Metropolis Healthcare offers a wide range of prenatal screening and diagnostic services to help identify and manage high-risk pregnancy factors. Our team of expert technicians provide caring, convenient sample collection from the comfort of your home. With fast, accurate reports and personalised support, we are committed to empowering expectant parents to make informed healthcare decisions and achieve the best possible outcomes.