Coping with a high-risk pregnancy
While pregnancy is mostly a time of joy and excitement, for some six to eight per cent of women, it's also a time of stress and uncertainty.
These are the mothers-to-be who suffer from certain conditions that place the pregnancy at risk but while this sounds scary, with a little extra care and monitoring by their doctor, they will go on to give birth to healthy babies.
Several factors can lead to a pregnancy being defined as high risk and include a pre-existing medical condition, a mother’s advanced age, her lifestyle choices, family medical history or problems in previous pregnancies.
The average global age for having a child is between the ages of 19 and 34. Anything outside of this range automatically puts a woman into the high-risk category even though her term will probably go smoothly and the baby will be delivered normally. If a mother-to-be is underweight or overweight, suffers from or has a family history of high blood pressure, kidney disease, heart disease, lupus, diabetes, fibroids, asthma, seizures and mental or emotional disorders, she will also be considered at high risk.
Infections that also carry the high-risk label in pregnancy include HIV or hepatitis C., chickenpox and rubella.
However, screening for such risks prior to conception allows precautions to be taken and medications to be prescribed to ensure the safety of the pregnancy.
Sometimes the risk comes from complications that develop during pregnancy, such as problems with the uterus, cervix or placenta. Another warning sign is if the mother-to-be suffers from severe morning sickness that continues past the first trimester. Other concerns could be a result of too much or too little amniotic fluid or restricted foetal growth. Twin or multiple pregnancy also puts the pregnancy at risk.
Women diagnosed as high risk must maintain a regular schedule of appointments with their obstetrician and stick to a healthy diet that includes fruits, vegetables and protein unless advised differently by their doctor.
Consumption of seafood, which contains a lot of omega 3, should be limited to twice a week should be fine, as too much could lead to an accumulation of mercury that’s potentially damaging to the foetus’s brain.
Equally, too much milk is not recommended for mothers with a history of allergy, as the newborn may also develop an allergy towards the protein in cow’s milk.
Ensuring dental hygiene during pregnancy is also important as even a small cavity can create a risk of infection for the baby and lead to premature delivery.
Women are also advised to take a good prenatal vitamin containing both iron and at least 400 milligrams of folic acid. And as in all pregnancies, alcohol and cigarettes must be avoided.
In addition to routine prenatal screening tests, the physician may recommend an amniocentesis, in which a sample of the fluid that surrounds the baby is taken for testing for any genetic condition or infections, as well as other lab tests as required.
Above all, the mother-to-be should try to relax. Her healthcare provider can offers suggestions as to the best ways of doing this.
Finally, staying happy is the best way to minimise any risk involved.
Thewin Dejthevaporn MD is a specialist in maternal foetal medicine at Samitivej Sukhumvit Hospital. Call (02) 711 8555-6.
