High-risk pregnancy: what to do and how to recognize the symptoms
A high-risk pregnancy is defined as such when there are several factors that make gestation difficult, and which in the worst cases can end in a miscarriage. However, not all high-risk pregnancies are exposed to abortion threats, sometimes this definition is just a precautionary measure to recommend absolute rest to the mother, or more attention than usual to her condition. But how to recognize the factors and symptoms of a high-risk pregnancy? And what should be done in these cases?
Possible causes of a high-risk pregnancy
Ninth month of pregnancy: how to recognize the symptoms of childbirth
A high-risk pregnancy can have several causes and factors to keep under control. Often these causes depend on the health of the pregnant woman, even before she became pregnant. Other cases, on the other hand, see the health conditions of the mother change when the pregnancy begins. The main causes of risk for pregnancy are:
- hypertension: which may already exist before or may develop with pregnancy, and lead, if not controlled, to gestosis (or preeclampsia)
- diabetes: a cause that often leads to premature birth, as well as problems with the baby being overweight
- respiratory diseases: if a woman suffers from respiratory disorders, these can be aggravated precisely by pregnancy, which brings changes to the organism also affecting the lungs and diaphragm
- kidney diseases: they are often pre-existing risk factors, and do not normally come with pregnancy, but worsen in pregnant women because the kidneys work harder
- heart disease: the heart faces more efforts during a pregnancy, but even in this case there are risks that precede the pregnancy
Almost all of a woman's pre-existing conditions would tend to worsen during pregnancy, and therefore need to be kept under control. There are also possible disorders, which put a pregnancy at risk, which occur after conception and during gestation. The main ones are:
- Threat of miscarriage: for several reasons, the pregnant woman may face threats of miscarriage, due to low progesterone, overexertion or abnormal conception
- gestosis or preeclampsia: the worsening of hypertension in pregnancy can lead to this disorder, a real disease of pregnant women, which can lead to Hellp syndrome
- gestational diabetes: even a woman who does not suffer from diabetes can suffer from this disease during pregnancy
- hypertension in pregnancy
- placenta previa: the placenta sits too low, covering the cervical canal and leading to the risk of miscarriage or bleeding
High-risk pregnancy: symptoms and risk factors
A high-risk pregnancy can present various symptoms, depending on the risk factors that may occur. Apart from the real pathologies that could lead to an abortion, premature birth or induced birth, there are also factors that are not actual diseases or disorders, but elements to be taken into account anyway. As for the symptoms, these obviously depend on the pathology that creates the problem, for example gestosis has as a signal the presence of proteins in the blood, or widespread edema especially in the lower limbs. The loss of blood is also a symptom of pregnancy at risk to be kept under particular control, because it indicates a threat of abortion. Obviously we are talking about abundant and bright red losses. The pain in the lower abdomen, similar to that of contractions, is another symptom not to be overlooked. As for the other non-pathological factors to keep under control, we must include:
- age of the mother: a pregnancy over 35 years of age is considered to be at risk, and for this reason we recommend villocentesis and amniocentesis
- physiological conformation of the mother: the anatomy of the mother is important, both for example the width of the pelvis and the conformation of the uterus
- twin pregnancy: it is not a risk in itself, but is classified as such to monitor it more often than a normal pregnancy
- obesity of the mother
- underweight child
- presence of fibroids
Pregnancy and risks: the behaviors to adopt
In this video, Dr. Canevisio explains what are the good behaviors, and which ones to avoid, for a healthy and risk-free pregnancy. How to deal with the use of drugs? What to do in case of ailments, or if the pregnancy is classified as "at risk"? Discover all the guidelines and advice in this video!
What to do to prevent the risk?
Each mother's previous pathology has its own therapeutic treatment. However, there are things that each expectant mother can do to prevent various problems during pregnancy. First of all, pregnant women must take folic acid, to prevent the risk of malformations of the baby's nervous system. Then, mothers-to-be must avoid places at risk of infections, such as kindergartens, hospitals, crowded public transport, and if they have never contracted rubella or chickenpox, be careful not to contract them, or get vaccinated even before trying to get pregnant. The other tips on how to prevent problems are obvious, such as avoiding alcohol and smoking, and in general being very careful about nutrition during pregnancy, avoiding certain foods and thus preventing some problems, such as toxoplasmosis.
