High-Risk Pregnancy

Pregnancy, also known as gestation, is the period of time when one or more children develop inside a woman. A multiple pregnancy produces more than one child, such as twins. Pregnancy is usually caused by sexual contact, but it can also be caused by assisted reproductive technology procedures.

Pregnancy continues for 36-40 weeks which is called gestation period. It is the process of the development of the foetus into the uterus.

What are the Symptoms of Pregnancy?

• Missed period
• Nausea and vomiting
• Swelling of breasts
• Tiredness
• Frequency of urination increase
• Mood swings
• Irritation
• Disliking food
• Cramps
• Nasal congestion

What is a High-Risk Pregnancy?

A high-risk pregnancy is one in which the mother’s or her foetus’s health or life is threatened. It requires special medical assistance and treatment from highly skilled gynaecologists. Some pregnancies become high risk as they progress, while some women are predisposed to complications for a variety of reasons even before they become pregnant.

Early and consistent prenatal care enables many women to have healthy pregnancies and deliveries free of complications.

In India, approximately 20-30% of pregnancies are classified as high risk, accounting for 75% of perinatal morbidity and mortality. Early detection and effective management of high-risk pregnancy can make a significant difference in reducing maternal and foetal harm.

Medica’s Gynaecology department specializes in managing high-risk pregnancies with efficiency and experience.

Symptoms of High-Risk Pregnancy

• Fainting
• Vaginal bleeding
• Intolerable pain in pelvic or belly region
• The feeling of persistent pelvic pressure or back pain
• Gestational diabetes mellitus
• Hypothyroidism
• Preeclampsia (hypertension caused by pregnancy)
• Experiencing unusual movement of the baby in the belly
• Fever >38.5ºC/for more than 24 hours
• Experiencing swelling in hands, feet, or face
• Observing no movement in the baby in the womb
• Experiencing severe headache and vision problems

If you experience any signs, you must require immediate medical attention. These symptoms may indicate miscarriages, preterm or post-term birth, or even your life can be in danger.

What are the Risk Factors of High-Risk Pregnancy?

Is it Possible to Avoid a High-Risk Pregnancy?

A high-risk pregnancy is not always avoidable. Some risk factors, such as chronic conditions and lifestyle choices, can be treated and controlled prior to pregnancy. However, some conditions are not treatable or, even if they are, pose a higher risk than usual. Other issues may arise during pregnancy.

Staying healthy before and during pregnancy is an excellent way to reduce the likelihood of having a difficult pregnancy. Women who are considering becoming pregnant should consult with a healthcare provider to ensure they are in good pre-pregnancy health.

Diagnosis

When going on your visits to the gynaecologists, the following points must be addressed during the examination:

• A thorough medical history from a pregnant woman is required to identify specific risk factors.
• A physical examination of the mother to identify or rule out risk factors.
• Maternal laboratory tests for common disorders are performed on a regular basis.
• Special maternal laboratory tests for disorders identified during any evaluative process.
• Comprehensive foetal assessment by obstetric ultrasound or a combination of techniques throughout the pregnancy.

Medica’s Obstetrics and Gynecology department endeavours to bring the highest quality of treatment and service to you. We believe in administering holistic management of all patients, encompassing their mental, physical and emotional health as a means to provide a complete solution for all their gynaecological problems. Our department is fully integrated with state-of-the-art treatment units and facilities that enable our Gynaecologists to treat you better.