Wellness Blog

High-risk pregnancy. The word brings anxiety, fear, and lots of mixed emotions for pregnant women. Every pregnancy needs care. High-risk pregnancy requires extra medical care before, after, or during giving birth. It does not for sure mean that all mothers and their babies might face complications. Even with high-risk pregnancies, mothers have delivered healthy babies with no complications. It is important to consult a gynaecologist regularly to better understand the conditions of the mother and the child pre-birth, during pregnancy, and after birth.

What are the causes of high-risk pregnancies?

A high-risk pregnancy is caused by

1. Pre-existing conditions: These are the conditions that exist before a woman becomes pregnant. Some of them include diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart-related issues.
2. Pregnancy-related conditions: These develop after becoming pregnant. Some of the conditions include high blood sugar and high blood pressure levels.
3. Lifestyle choices: Alcohol consumption, substance use, or smoking might also be one of the causes.

Age factor cannot be a determinant. The condition might vary according to various factors. It is important to consult with a doctor to know better.

What are the signs and symptoms of a high-risk pregnancy?

Be they high or low risk, it is important to consult a doctor when these symptoms arise:

1. Abdominal pain
2. Chest Pain
3. Nausea or vomiting - When it gets worse than morning sickness
4. Extreme fatigue
5. Dizziness
6. Headache, sometimes very severe
7. Slowing down or stop in the foetus's movement

Management of high-risk pregnancies

1. Regular checkups with the doctor to monitor the condition of the mother and baby and identify any precautions that need to be taken.
2. Close evaluation of the fetus and frequent ultrasounds.
3. BP must be monitored regularly to maintain normal levels.
4. Careful intake of medications that were prescribed for pre-existing conditions.

If the conditions become complicated, the doctor recommends labour or a C-section.

What are the conditions expected after birth?

Women with high-risk pregnancies face some difficulties, not immediately after giving birth, but later in the future. They might experience:

1. High Blood Pressure
2. Cardiovascular diseases
3. Complications in future pregnancies
4. Postpartum depression

A child from a high-risk pregnancy might face issues such as:

1. Behavioural problems
2. Development delays
3. Mental health problems or neurological conditions
4. Obesity
5. Diabetes
6. Respiratory problems

Staying positive - high-risk pregnancies

A pregnant woman might face anxiety, fear and a mix of emotions. Staying relaxed or positive or seeking support from a specialist or a psychologist might be helpful. Proper intake of food and medications, if prescribed, and physical exercise might help them relax their mind and body.

Obstetrics and Gynaecology at GKNM

Pregnancy requires vital care and support, pre-birth and post-birth. Regular checkups and doctor consultations are essential. At GKNM, the Obstetrics and Gynaecology department provides extensive care for women: pre-pregnancy, during pregnancy, and post-birth care. The hospital is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and expert doctors who provide care and support throughout pregnancy. Any symptoms or abnormalities that are pregnancy-related should not be taken lightly. It is important to consult a gynaecologist for treatment and care.