Every expectant mother hopes for a healthy, trouble-free pregnancy, but sometimes pregnancy can become complicated and pose serious health concerns to women and their babies. A pregnancy is considered high-risk whenever it threatens the health of the mother or the fetus, but regular prenatal care can reduce some health risks and give women and babies the best chance at a healthy and safe delivery. Show There are a variety of reasons a pregnancy might be considered high risk. Pregnancy is physically demanding and the mother’s health, age, genetic background, and lifestyle choices are all consequential factors that contribute to the safety level of a pregnancy. Pre-existing ConditionsCertain health disorders can become further complicated during pregnancy and endanger the health of mother and the fetus:
Maternal Age
InfertilityWomen who require medical assistance to aid conception experience higher rates of miscarriage. MultiplesWomen who are pregnant with more than one fetus at a time have an increased chance of preterm delivery and giving birth to babies with low birth weights. Mom’s WeightBeing underweight or overweight can cause complications in pregnancy. Women with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or above are at a risk of developing diabetes and preeclampsia, and their babies have an increased chance of being born with rare birth defects including spina bifida and other neural tube defects. Obese women may also have difficulty coping with labor and are more likely to require a cesarean section. Women with a BMI of 18.5 or below are considered to be underweight and have higher incidences of miscarriage, particularly in the first trimester. They also have a greater chance of delivering an underweight baby. Lifestyle ChoicesPregnant women who consume alcohol, tobacco products, or recreational drugs pose serious health risks to themselves and the fetus, including birth defects, developmental delays, and low birth weights. The Importance of Prenatal CareThe diagnosis of a high risk pregnancy can be frightening and a cause for worry, but it is not a reason to despair. The best way to treat a high risk pregnancy is for women to receive regular prenatal care. Many of the health conditions that cause high risk pregnancies can be determined before conception or early in the pregnancy with an ultrasound and specialized testing.Early diagnosis and intervention can reduce the risk of a pregnancy to a mother and the developing fetus, and regular fetal surveillance can help high-risk pregnancy specialists monitor a complicated pregnancy and lessen the possibility of health emergencies. Women who think they are at increased chance of having a high risk pregnancy should talk with their healthcare provider before getting pregnant so they can prepare in advance to have the healthiest possible pregnancy for their particular medical situation. If you have any questions about high-risk pregnancy, please contact Kansas City ObGyn today at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 913-948-9636 to schedule a visit. What factors make a highSmoking cigarettes, drinking alcohol and using illegal drugs can put a pregnancy at risk. Maternal health problems. High blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, epilepsy, thyroid disease, heart or blood disorders, poorly controlled asthma, and infections can increase pregnancy risks.
What are 5 examples of a highPregnancy-related health conditions that can pose risks to the pregnant person and fetus include:. Birth defects or genetic conditions in the fetus.. Poor growth in the fetus.. Gestational diabetes.. Multiple gestation (pregnancy with more than one fetus, such as twins or triplets).. Preeclampsia and eclampsia.. |