Having diabetes or hypertension, being a smoker or having a twin pregnancy are some situations that lead to a risky pregnancy because the chances of having complications are higher and so in many cases the woman has to be go to the gynecologist for 15 in 15 days.
A pregnancy at risk can cause complications for both the pregnant and the baby and include situations such as abortion, premature birth, delayed growth and Down Syndrome for example.
Generally, risky pregnancy develops in women who before they become pregnant already have risk factors or situations, such as being diabetic or being overweight. However, pregnancy may be developing naturally and problems arise at any time during pregnancy. The following are the key factors that lead to a risky pregnancy:
1. High blood pressure and pre-eclampsia
High blood pressure in pregnancy is a common problem and occurs when it is greater than 140/90 mmHg after two measurements taken with a minimum of 6 hours between them.
High blood pressure in pregnancy can be caused by a high-salt diet, sedentary lifestyle, or poor placental formation, increasing the chances of having pre-eclampsia, which is increased blood pressure and protein loss, leading to miscarriage, seizures, coma and even the death of the mother and the baby when the situation is not properly controlled.
2. Diabetes
The woman who is diabetic or who develops the disease during pregnancy has a risky pregnancy because high blood sugar can cross the placenta and reach the baby, which can cause it to grow large and weigh more than 4 kg.
Thus, a large baby makes it difficult to deliver, requiring a cesarean section, and there is a greater chance of being born with problems such as jaundice, low blood sugar and respiratory problems.
3. Pregnancy of twins
Twin pregnancy is considered a risk because the uterus has to develop more and all pregnancy symptoms are more present.
In addition, there are greater chances of having all the complications of a pregnancy, especially high blood pressure, pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes and back pain, for example.
4. Consumption of alcohol, cigarettes and drugs
Consumption of alcohol and drugs, such as heroin, during pregnancy cross the placenta and affect the baby causing delayed growth, mental retardation, and malformations of the heart and face, so a lot of tests are needed to see how the baby is developing.
Cigarette smoke also increases the chances of having an abortion, which can have effects on the baby and the pregnant woman, such as muscle fatigue, lack of blood sugar, memory loss, difficulty breathing and withdrawal symptoms.
5. Use of dangerous medicines during pregnancy
In some cases the pregnant woman has to take medicines to control chronic diseases so as not to put her life at risk or take some medication that she did not know would hinder pregnancy and its use leads to pregnancy being at risk due to the side effects that can have for the baby.
Some medicines include phenytoin, triamterene, trimethoprim, lithium, streptomycin, tetracyclines and warfarin, morphine, amphetamines, barbiturates, codeine, and phenothiazines.
6. Weak immune system
When the pregnant woman has vaginal infections, herpes, mumps, rubella, chicken pox, syphilis, listeriosis, or toxoplasmosis for example, pregnancy is considered a risk because the woman needs to take several medicines and make antibiotic treatments that can cause side effects in the baby.
In addition, pregnant women with diseases such as Aids, cancer or hepatitis have weakened immune system and therefore increase the chances of having complications during pregnancy.
Having problems like epilepsy, heart disease, kidney malfunction or gynecological diseases also require more follow-up of the pregnant because it can lead to a risky pregnancy.
7. Pregnancy in adolescence or after 35 years
Gestation under the age of 17 can be dangerous because the girl's body is not fully prepared to withstand pregnancy.
In addition, after age 35, a woman may have more difficulty becoming pregnant and the chances of having a baby with chromosomal abnormalities are higher, such as Down's Syndrome.
8. Pregnant with low weight or obesity
Very thin pregnant women with a BMI below 18.5 can have a preterm birth, miscarriage, and delayed baby growth because the baby offers little nutrients to the baby, limiting their growth, which can lead them to become sick easily and develop heart disease .
In addition, women with excessive weight, especially when BMI greater than 35, were more at risk of having complications and may also affect the baby who may develop obesity and diabetes.
9. Problems in previous pregnancy
When the pregnant woman has a delivery before the due date, the baby is born with changes or has a delay in growth, several repeated abortions or even death soon after birth, pregnancy is considered a risk because there may be a genetic predisposition that can harm the baby .
How to avoid complications during a risky pregnancy
When a pregnancy is at risk you have to follow all indications of the obstetrician, being essential to make a healthy diet, avoiding fried foods, sweets and artificial sweeteners, besides not consuming alcoholic beverages or smoking.
In addition, it is also important to comply with the rest that the doctor indicates, to control the weight gain and to take the medicines only that the doctor prescribes. See details on the care you should take during pregnancy at risk.
In addition, your doctor may recommend blood and urine tests, ultrasonography, amniocentesis, and biopsy to assess your health and also your baby's health.
When to go to the doctor during a risky pregnancy
A woman with a high-risk pregnancy needs to be monitored regularly by the obstetrician to assess the health of the baby and the pregnant woman by going to the doctor whenever he or she indicates.
However, it is usually recommended to go 2 times a month and it may be necessary during pregnancy to balance the state of health and avoid complications for the baby and the mother.
In addition, some of the signs that may indicate danger include bleeding through the vagina, uterine contractions ahead of time or not feeling the baby moving for more than a day. Know all signs that indicate a risky pregnancy.
