High-risk pregnancy: causes, dangers and how to prevent it

Every expectant mother wants her pregnancy to run smoothly. But if the doctor says that your pregnancy is considered a high risk, it means you need extra care during the pregnancy until the time you give birth. What is a high-risk pregnancy, and what is the danger to the health of the mother and fetus?

What is a high risk pregnancy?

A high-risk pregnancy is a pregnancy condition that can threaten the health and safety of both the mother and the fetus. This condition can be caused due to complications during pregnancy, but it can also be caused by a medical condition that the mother has had since before becoming pregnant. Pregnant women who experience this condition must be diligent in getting checked out and need extra supervision and care from a doctor.

High-risk pregnancies are most susceptible to women who have had problems with previous pregnancies, for example giving birth prematurely. This does not mean that if you had a premature birth before, your current pregnancy will automatically be premature. However, the risks may come with different manifestations.

Your age can also affect how likely you are to have a high-risk pregnancy. If you are pregnant over 35 years of age or younger, for example as a teenager, your risk of developing health problems increases.

What are the causes of a high-risk pregnancy?

There are several medical conditions that can cause you to have a high-risk pregnancy. This medical condition can occur during pregnancy or before pregnancy. If you already have certain medical conditions, see your doctor immediately if you and your partner want to start a pregnancy program. Here are some health conditions that can cause high-risk pregnancies.

1. Mother's disease

• Blood disorders. If you have a blood disorder, such as sickle cell disease or thalassemia, pregnancy can actually make your condition worse. Blood disorders can also increase the risk of your baby during pregnancy or even after giving birth to experience the same thing with you.
• Chronic kidney disease. In general, pregnancy itself can put a lot of stress on your kidneys. However, this condition can increase the risk of miscarriage because it causes high blood pressure and preeclampsia, so that you are more likely to give birth to the baby early.
• Depression. Untreated depression or some medications used to treat depression pose a risk to your baby's health and safety. If you are taking antidepressants and just found out you are pregnant, do not stop it suddenly, consult your doctor immediately.
• High blood pressure. Hypertension that is not treated properly can cause your fetus to grow slowly and increase your risk of preterm delivery. Other complications associated with high blood pressure are preeclampsia and placental abruption, a serious condition in which the placenta partially separates from the uterus before the baby is born.
• HIV or AIDS. If you have HIV or AIDS, your baby is more likely to be infected before birth, during delivery, or while you are breastfeeding. However, medication can reduce this risk.
• Lupus. Lupus and other autoimmune diseases can increase the risk of preterm birth, preeclampsia, and very low birth weight babies. Pregnancy can also make this condition worse.
• Obesity. Having an excess body mass index before pregnancy puts you at greater risk for developing gestational diabetes, type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressure during pregnancy. During delivery, you may only be able to have a cesarean delivery.
• Thyroid disease. Thyroid disorders, both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, can increase problems with miscarriage, preeclampsia, low birth weight, and preterm delivery.
• Diabetes. Uncontrolled diabetes can increase the risk of birth defects, high blood pressure, preterm delivery, and the baby is also at risk of being born with excess weight (macrosomia). It can also increase the risk of breathing problems, low glucose levels, and jaundice.

2. Lifestyle causes high risk pregnancy

High-risk pregnancies are not only caused by illnesses that the mother had before pregnancy, but can also be caused by unhealthy lifestyles such as drinking alcohol, smoking and drug abuse. These things can increase the risk of stillbirth, preterm birth, low birth weight, and birth defects.

3. Complications of pregnancy

Mothers who were declared healthy before becoming pregnant (without any underlying medical conditions) are also at risk of having a high-risk pregnancy. Pregnancy problems that can occur and increase your risk of pregnancy include the following:

• Birth defects. Birth defects can actually be detected via ultrasound or genetic testing before birth. If birth defects in the fetus have been diagnosed, then you should get extra attention and care from medical personnel.
• Gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes is diabetes that occurs during pregnancy. Gestational diabetes that doesn't get prompt treatment puts you at risk for preterm delivery, high blood pressure, and preeclampsia. Consult with your doctor for further handling.
• Slow fetal development. Fetal development will usually always go into an important examination every time you visit your obstetrician. In some cases, if the fetus is not developing properly, you will need extra supervision from medical personnel. This increases high risk pregnancies by giving birth prematurely.
• Pregnant twins. Multiple pregnancy including high risk because it can increase your risk of giving birth prematurely. Multiple pregnancy also greatly affects your physical condition.
• Preeclampsia. This serious condition usually occurs during the second trimester of pregnancy, you will experience high blood pressure. Preeclampsia can affect your fetal development and health. This pregnancy disorder also increases preterm birth.

What to do when you have a high-risk pregnancy?

1. Check yourself regularly, especially in the early days of pregnancy

The first weeks are an important period of early development for babies. Pregnant women can check their pregnancy to detect and treat possible abnormalities in the baby. With routine check-ups, your doctor can also provide early treatment if you are at risk for or detected with gestational diabetes and preeclampsia.

2. Take pregnant vitamins

Taking at least 400 micrograms of folic acid per day before and during the first 3 months of pregnancy can help prevent bodily defects in babies, especially the spinal cord and brain. Some pre-pregnancy vitamins contain 800-1000 micrograms of folic acid which is still relatively safe. However, you should avoid consuming more than 1000 micrograms of folic acid.

3. Maintain a normal weight

Pregnancy is synonymous with weight gain. But try not to exceed 11-15 kilograms. Gaining too little weight is also a high-risk pregnancy because of the high risk of preterm birth. Conversely, excessive weight during pregnancy puts the mother at risk for gestational diabetes and high blood pressure. You can maintain a normal weight by:

• Adopting a balanced healthy diet. Choose fresh vegetables and fruit, nuts, and lean meats. Also consume food sources of calcium and folic acid for baby development. As a guide, you can read more about healthy foods for pregnant women.
• Get regular exercise. Exercising regularly or being active every day can relieve stress and strengthen the body of pregnant women. Ask your doctor about your health and the types of exercise you will do if you have certain conditions, such as diabetes.

4. Stop habits that harm the fetus

Smoking, drinking alcohol, and consuming too much caffeinated drinks can increase the risk of mental and physical disorders in the unborn baby. By avoiding all three, you can reduce the risk of preeclampsia and the risk of having a baby with a low weight. These conditions are common in women who give birth over the age of 35.

5. Detection of chromosomal abnormalities in infants

Learn and if necessary take tests to detect possible chromosomal abnormalities in the unborn baby.

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