For most women who go through pregnancy, having to carry their baby for a full term, experiencing labor, delivering their infant, and finally carrying them in their arms seems to be a natural and innate process.
While most mothers experience a smooth pregnancy, others do not. Unfortunately, there are a number of women who experience challenges with childbearing. Usually, these women experience high-risk pregnancies. But just how do you classify pregnancy as high risk?
In general, pregnancy is recognized as high risk when there are possible repercussions that can have adverse effects on either the mother, the infant, or both. For instance, any existing condition of the mother can complicate her pregnancy, classifying it as a high risk. Proper management with the help of a gynecologist will help guarantee safe childbirth for both mother and baby.
Let’s go over some risk factors that can influence a woman’s pregnancy enough to consider it as a high risk.
Age
Women ages 35 and above have a greater chance of experiencing high-risk pregnancies. For older women who plan to conceive, experts advise on undergoing preconception care to ensure that the body is healthy three to six months before pregnancy and prenatal care during pregnancy. Receiving these will reduce the chances of experiencing complications during conception.
Pre-Existing Medical Conditions
Women who have pre-existing conditions such as PCOS, hypertension, obesity, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes experience a high risk since these can be made worse while experiencing pregnancy. These health conditions increase the chances of miscarriage, premature birth, and the infant being born with birth defects.
It is crucial to inform the ob-gyn specialist if you are under prescription medication since some medicines may affect your pregnancy. Seeking the advice of an expert will help you find an alternative medication that can work for you.
Unhealthy Lifestyle Choices
An unhealthy diet, smoking, drug abuse, and alcohol increase the risk of complications during pregnancy. If women desire to have a smooth and healthy conception, a change in lifestyle is necessary, and that means quitting smoking, alcohol and starting a healthy, pregnancy-friendly diet.
Multiple Pregnancy
Being pregnant with twins, triplets, or quadruplets increases the risk of complications during pregnancy and delivery. Mothers who are carrying more than one infant have a higher risk of experiencing preterm labor and birth. In fact, studies have shown that more than half, or 60 percent of twins and other higher multiple-ordered births, are born prematurely.
Pregnancy-Related Disorders
Mothers who experience pregnancy-related disorders are at a higher risk of developing complications. These conditions may include gestational diabetes, pregnancy-induced hypertension, and hypothyroidism. Several pregnant women who endure pregnancy-related illnesses usually need intensive care and management, with the help of healthcare providers.
Conclusion
If you are at risk of experiencing a high-risk pregnancy, it is crucial that you speak to your ob-gyn and become more cautious with your diet and lifestyle. Talk to the best gynecologist to know more about the risks and complications that you may encounter during pregnancy. This will equip you with the knowledge and awareness needed to better manage your pregnancy and achieve the best outcome for you and your baby.