High-risk pregnancy

High-risk pregnancy refers to a condition where the mother, the baby, or both are at an increased risk of health problems during or after delivery. This can be due to a variety of factors, including maternal age, lifestyle, medical history, and complications during pregnancy.

Definition

A pregnancy is considered high-risk when there are potential complications that could affect the mother, the baby, or both. High-risk pregnancies require management by a specialist to help ensure the best outcome for the mother and baby.

Causes

High-risk pregnancies can be caused by a number of factors. These include:

• Maternal Age: Women who are younger than 17 or older than 35 are at a higher risk of complications during pregnancy.
• Lifestyle: Smoking, alcohol, and illicit drug use can increase the risk of a high-risk pregnancy.
• Medical History: Women with a history of chronic hypertension, diabetes, heart disorders, breathing problems, and kidney or autoimmune diseases are at a higher risk.
• Pregnancy Complications: Certain conditions that develop during pregnancy can increase the risk of a high-risk pregnancy. These include preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and infections.

Management

Management of high-risk pregnancies involves close monitoring of the mother and baby throughout the pregnancy. This may include more frequent prenatal visits, additional testing, and specialized care.

See Also

• Pregnancy
• Maternal Age
• Lifestyle
• Medical History
• Pregnancy Complications

References

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