A high-risk pregnancy is a pregnancy that involves increased health risks for the pregnant person, fetus or both. Certain health conditions and your age (being over 35 or under 17 when pregnant) can make a pregnancy high risk. These pregnancies require close monitoring to reduce the chance of complications.
3. High-Risk Pregnancy
A high-risk pregnancy is a pregnancy that
involves increased health risks for the
pregnant person, fetus or both. Certain
health conditions and your age (being over
35 or under 17 when pregnant) can make a
pregnancy high risk. These pregnancies
require close monitoring to reduce the
chance of complications.
4. What is a High-Risk
Pregnancy?
All pregnancies carry risks. The definition of a “high-
risk” pregnancy is any pregnancy that carries
increased health risks for the pregnant person, fetus
or both. People with high-risk pregnancies may need
extra care before, during and after they give birth. This
helps to reduce the possibility of complications.
However, having a pregnancy that’s considered high
risk doesn’t mean you or your fetus will have
problems. Many people experience healthy
pregnancies and normal labor and delivery despite
having special health needs.
5. Causes
Preexisting health conditions.
Pregnancy-related health conditions.
Lifestyle factors (including smoking, drug
addiction, alcohol abuse, and exposure to
certain toxins).
Age (being over 35 or under 17 when
pregnant).
Factors that make a pregnancy high risk
include:
6. Risks Factors
Autoimmune diseases, such as lupus or
multiple sclerosis (MS).
COVID-19.
Diabetes.
Fibroids.
High blood pressure.
HIV/AIDS.
Kidney disease.
Low body weight (BMI of less than 18.5).
Mental health disorders, such as
depression.
Obesity.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
Thyroid disease.
Blood clotting disorders.
Risks During Pregnancy:
7. Sign & Symptoms
Abdominal pain that doesn’t go away.
Chest pain.
Dizziness or fainting.
Extreme fatigue.
The fetus's movement stopping or slowing.
Fever over 100.4°F.
Heart palpitations.
Nausea and vomiting that’s worse than
normal morning sickness.
Severe headache that won’t go away or gets
worse.
Swelling, redness or pain in your face or
limbs.
Thoughts about harming yourself or the
fetus.
8. Diagnosis
Blood and urine testing to check for
genetic conditions or certain congenital
conditions (birth defects).
Ultrasonography, which uses sound waves
to create images of the fetus to screen for
congenital conditions.
Monitoring to ensure the fetus is getting
enough oxygen, such as a biophysical
profile, which monitors their breathing,
movements and amniotic fluid using
ultrasound, and a non-stress test, which
monitors their heart rate.
9. Prevention
Avoiding drugs and alcohol.
Identifying potential health risks before
getting pregnant. Tell your doctor about
your familial and personal medical history.
Maintaining a healthy body weight before
pregnancy.
Managing any preexisting health conditions
you may have.
Making sure any long-term medications are
safe to take during pregnancy.
Quitting smoking.
Practicing safe sex.
