The term “high-risk pregnancy” is often used by medical practitioners, and it can sound scary to lay people. It can even lead to depression in the mother-to-be [1]. Let’s unpack the term, understand its meaning, and learn how to manage risks.
What is a high-risk pregnancy?
At its most basic, this term means that a pregnancy may be adversely affected by a specific medical condition [1].
Many women face some kind of risk factor during pregnancy, and some may have to deal with several of them simultaneously. But even with risk factors, it is still possible to have a normal and healthy pregnancy.
What are the risk groups?
The International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) includes the following as risk factors for pregnancy [2]:
a history of infertility
a history of miscarriages
complications during pregnancy (anything from hemorrhoids to preeclampsia)
many births
age under 18 or over 35
social factors that affect health (smoking or drinking, multiple sex partners, malnutrition, stress, and others)
abnormalities identified during screening in the first and second trimesters.
In addition, any chronic illness that a woman already had before pregnancy is considered an additional risk factor.
Do these factors often lead to tragic consequences?
Globally, up to 15% of high-risk pregnancies end in loss. It is important to note that 84% of high-risk pregnancies occur in regions where there is little to no access to affordable and high-quality healthcare, especially in underdeveloped countries [1]. Self-care and adherence to medical advice greatly reduce the likelihood of adverse outcomes.
What can I do to reduce the risks?
Do what you can to get healthy before conceiving. Manage any chronic diseases with the help of your doctor, and if you are a smoker, stop. If you’re already pregnant, work with your doctors to develop a health plan for your pregnancy.
Some diseases (such as diabetes, hypertension, or ulcers) may require constant monitoring or treatment. In such cases, you will want to create a management plan with your specialist (for example, with your endocrinologist or cardiologist) and your obstetrician-gynecologist.
