High Risk Pregnancy!! Beware Before It’s Too Late

Did you know that women under the age of 17 and above the age of 35 are at the highest risk of miscarriage during a pregnancy? Pregnancy can be a wonderful period for you as it signals the path to starting a new family and with adequate care and precaution, everything is guaranteed to go smoothly, however, sometimes the presence of certain health conditions of factors may result in the situation getting a little more complex which may even threaten your pregnancy. Internal and external factors can influence the course of your pregnancy and while a high-risk pregnancy can seem scary, there are several steps that you can take to reduce the risk. Continue reading this article to know more.

What Does It Mean To Have A High Risk Pregnancy?

Typically, a high-risk pregnancy is that which increases the chances of risk to the mother, child with an increased chance of miscarriage. A high-risk pregnancy can also include one where the chance of premature delivery is higher or one that may pose a serious hazard to the health and well-being of the mother, the unborn child, or both.

Although most high-risk pregnancies can be managed with the right steps and precautions giving rise to the birth of healthy babies with the mother’s health intact, neglect and lack of caution may result in serious life-long conditions and sometimes even death. However, with recent developments in medical technology high-risk pregnancies have become easier to detect and care for which results in successful deliveries most of the time.

Visit Your Doctor If You Display Any Of These Signs

Understanding your body adequately will help you detect any abnormalities in the pregnancy during an early stage. Experiencing certain symptoms might indicate an issue with the pregnancy and this should be your cue to visit a doctor at the earliest. The signs to look out for include:

• Bleeding or Spotting: Although bleeding is not something to worry about, it might be a sign of a miscarriage.
• Discharge of tissues from the vagina : Vaginal discharge typically is a healthy indicator of a proper functioning vagina, however an unusual change of the colour, texture or odour can be  cause for concern.
• Unusual cramping in the lower abdomen: Cramps might be normal during pregnancy, but an unusual or increased pain may indicate some internal issues.
• Loss of consciousness: A sudden loss of consciousness must not be taken lightly and you must consider visiting a doctor immediately as this can indicate a threat to the pregnancy.
• Swelling of the hands, feet, or face: Swelling along the course of a pregnancy is normal and in most cases is not serious, however abnormal swelling of the face and legs accompanied with redness can be an indication of some complications.
• Loss of vision or Distorted view: Just as loss of consciousness may be an indication of a problem, sudden loss of vision is not to be taken lightly.

Risks Along Each Trimester

Risks may vary through each of the 3 trimesters during the course of a pregnancy. It is very important to play close attention to your body and any abnormalities and consult a doctor at the earliest if you experience any of the following symptoms.

First Trimester

Excessive vomiting along with an inability to consume any sort of food and beverage constantly is a symptom that you must look out for. If you experience it, visit a doctor at the earliest. Severe and continuous pain in the lower abdomen and pelvic area is also a symptom to look out for during the first trimester.

Second Trimester

At around 18-20 weeks of the pregnancy, you should be able to feel the baby kicks occasionally, if you do not then consult a doctor immediately. If you have painless bleeding or excessive swelling in the lower limbs you should consult a doctor. Typically, weigh gain during pregnancy is 11-15kg, if you see weight gain of more than this limit then it could be a sign of something gone wrong.

Third Trimester

The signs are pretty much the same as the second trimester, however if you see that your water has broken well before  the scheduled date of deliver, then visit a doctor at the earliest.

Check Out What Makes A Pregnancy High Risk

Several reasons and factors can be responsible for making a pregnancy high risk including any underlying health condition of the mother, age, or even the genetic structure. A pregnancy can become high risk if:

1. The Mother is above the age of 40

It is a widely known and accepted fact that pregnancy is a big deal and one must only embark on the journey if her physical and mental state permits her to do so. Usually, women above the age of 35 or 40 face the highest risk when it comes to pregnancy. At an older age, women may have conditions such as diabetes and high BP which increases the chance of stillbirth and chromosomal abnormalities.

These types of risks can easily be avoided by simply planning your pregnancy well and by undergoing regular health check-ups. Genetic testing can also help identify chromosomal irregularities Regular check-ups and consultation with your gynaecologist will help you detect problems at an earlier stage and take adequate precautions to reduce the risk.

2. If the mother is overweight or underweight

Typically, mothers who are either severely underweight or overweight have a high risk of premature deliveries or miscarriages. Women with a BMI below 19 and above 27 are at higher risks of miscarrying. Severely underweight women are usually unable to sustain the pregnancy whereas overweight and obese women are likely to give birth to babies with genetic defects and suffer from hypertension among several other things.

If you are either underweight or obese, you must consider vising your gynecologist before planning a pregnancy. In most cases, you will have to follow a set diet to either help you lose, sustain, or gain weight to sustain a healthy pregnancy.

3. Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a condition that few women in India are aware of. It results in the overgrowth of the endometrium lining that causes a great deal of inconvenience such as pain during intercourse, excessive bleeding, and also difficulty in conceiving. Studies have shown that women with endometriosis are more prone to miscarriages and hence a great deal of precautions ought to be taken. That being said, women with endometriosis have gone on to give birth to healthy babies with the right care and precaution.

If you suffer from endometriosis, it is best to consult an expert to understand what the best option is to control the condition. Options may include medication or a combination of lifestyle changes such as yoga and nutrition and even surgery. Each woman is different and each of these options may work differently. With the right combination of medication and lifestyle changes, endometriosis can be controlled therefore reducing the risk during pregnancy.

4. Pregnancy-Related Disorders

In several cases, a woman may develop conditions during the pregnancy which can result in it becoming high risk. These conditions can usually be detected via routine ultrasounds and tests during the course of the pregnancy.  Some common disorders include:

Preeclampsia: Conditions such as preeclampsia can result in seizures and can be dangerous to the health of the other and child, but this can be detected by monitoring the level of protein in the urine.
Abnormal Placenta Positioning: Abnormal positioning can result in restriction on blood flow resulting in poor foetal development or even death.

Conditions like this are typically unavoidable, but you must exercise proper care in the form of getting adequate rest, not exposing yourself to trauma, consuming nutritious food, and following up regularly for all routine tests. In the event that you do develop such a condition, please contact our doctor at the earliest to understand your future course of action.

General Tips For A Healthy Pregnancy

When you are pregnant, it is very important to take care of both your mental and physical state of being. Do not overexert yourself and take adequate precautions to enable you to experience a problem-free pregnancy. Here are a few general tips to practice to enable a healthy pregnancy:

• Eat Nutritiously: When pregnant, the need for good nutrition is all the more. Ensure that you are consuming enough and try to stick to a healthy, clean, and nutritious diet. A diet rich in fibre and protein is very important. It is also important to consume healthy carbohydrates as your body is in need of more energy. Make sure that you are eating enough and avoid the intake of red meats. Incorporate more whole grains and lean protein into your diet and avoid the consumption of alcohol at any cost. Smoking and consumption of other intoxicating substances can be very harmful to your pregnancy and you must avoid it.
• Exercise your body: When you are pregnant, it is very important to exercise your body. But you must be cautious to not overexert it. Healthy exercises include walking, moderate yoga, and so on. Avoid excessive heavy lifting as it can strain your body.
• Get Regular Checkups: Make it a point to never miss your regular doctor’s appointments for ultrasounds or blood profiling as these are essential indicators to detect abnormalities in pregnancy. By following up regularly, you can detect and avoid unnecessary complications.
• Maintain A Calm Mind: A healthy mind is a key to a successful pregnancy. Meditating or practicing calming activities can help calm your mind and body and develop a sense of harmony between the mother and unborn child.

Caring For Yourself & The Foetus During COVID-19

The COVID 19 pandemic has raised a lot of questions concerning the safety of the mother and the unborn child. WHO reports are unclear as to whether COVID can be passed from a mother to an unborn child however there have been reports of the virus being detected inside breast milk or the fluid in the womb. If you are pregnant, you must exercise a great deal of caution to keep yourself and the foetus safe. Wash hands regularly with soap, wear a mask when out, and avoid crowded places at all costs. If you are pregnant and experience signs of COVID, get tested at the earliest.

With the right amount of care and caution, you can sustain a healthy pregnancy. Thanks to the advancements in the field of medical technology, we are better placed to detect irregularities in pregnancies and handle them at an earlier stage to reduce risk. If you experience any abnormal symptoms, consider visiting your doctor at the earliest.

Fertility Dost is India’s leading platform for infertility and we offer a range of holistic programs including Nutrition, Yoga, Ayurveda, and emotional wellness. If you are interested to know more, contact us now and book your first free consultation call!