High Risk Pregnancy You Need to Know

• Dr. Garima Srivastav

High-Risk Pregnancy? You Need to Know

Whether this is your first pregnancy or your third or fourth, hearing your doctor, nurse practitioner, or midwife tell you the pregnancy you're having is at high risk may be worrying. A term like high-risk pregnancies is used to describe a situation that could refer to a variety of common conditions.

Many of them are connected to conditions you have suffered before getting pregnant or conditions you might have experienced during pregnancy or while delivering.

A high-risk pregnancy doesn't automatically mean that the pregnancy is more challenging than a pregnancy with a lower risk. However, it may suggest that you'll have to see a maternal-fetal medicine specialist and have more frequent monitoring than a woman with a low-risk pregnancy.

What's the distinction between a specialist in maternal-fetal medicine and an Obstetrician?

An expert in maternal and fetal health (perinatologist) receives traditional obstetrics and gynecology training. However, they also receive an additional three years of experience to understand how to treat medical conditions connected to pregnancy. Additionally, the specialist in maternal-fetal medicine is well-trained in assessing and managing any fetal disorders. 

A majority of ultrasounds during perinatal ultrasounds are interpretable by maternal-fetal medical experts.

You could be referred to the maternal-fetal medicine specialist if you suffer from a pre-existing medical condition before the time of pregnancy, develop a medical issue during pregnancy, or are experiencing issues with delivery. 

You may also be referred to a maternal-fetal physician if your baby is born with an anomaly during your pregnancy. In this instance, the maternal-fetal medicine specialist will coordinate your medical care and your baby's medical care throughout pregnancy and after birth with a team of pediatric health professionals.

Do I need to see an expert in maternal-fetal medicine before my pregnancy?

There is a chance that it will be beneficial to talk to an expert in maternal-fetal medicine before birth if you suffer from the following symptoms: (or one or) among the following conditions:

• Pre-existing medical conditions. Various pre-existing medical conditions require monitoring concerning pregnancies, e.g., diabetes and lupus, renal disease, hypertension (high blood pressure). In certain instances, the maternal-fetal medicine expert might alter the medication you are taking to ensure your health and prevent any adverse effects on your subsequent pregnancy. If you have diabetes, A maternal-fetal medicine expert will help you improve the control of your blood sugar before conception to lower the chance of abnormalities in the fetus. If you're struggling with overweight or have a medical condition that affects your fetal health, a maternal- specialist will discuss the benefits of losing weight before the time of the birth of your baby. As per Henderson, "Losing weight appropriately can lower your chance of developing ailments like hypertension or gestational diabetes in pregnancy."

• Genetic risk. Preconception genetic screening has been more prevalent in recent years, as technology has improved and the testing process has become more accessible. Suppose you are a parent suffering from a specific disease or are part of ethnicity with an increased chance of developing a specific condition (sickle cell disorder or Tay-Sachs's disease). In that case, Genetic screening is a way to determine the risk of your partner carrying. Additionally, the most common genetic disorders like cystic fibrosis, spinal muscular atrophy, and spinal muscular atrophy can be screened using a blood test.

In addition, if you've children with a genetic disorder or syndrome or disorder, a specialist in maternal-fetal medicine can offer counseling and help assess how this condition could affect a future pregnancy. Always talk to your healthcare provider to figure out what's best for you and your baby.

What kinds of conditions could cause a high-risk pregnancy?

A Following is a list that is a list of the most frequent circumstances that can result in the risk of having a high-risk pregnancy. Be aware it is not the case that all females suffering from these conditions will be able to have high-risk pregnancies.

• The term "diabetes" refers to. If you have diabetes before becoming pregnant, you'll probably be taken to a maternal-fetal medicine specialist to track your condition and decide on appropriate medications. Preconception counseling is a great option. The development of diabetes during pregnancy (gestational diabetes) is extremely common, and your obstetrician will probably be able to take care of you without consulting with a maternal-fetal physician. Suppose a specialist in maternal-fetal medicine is sought out for gestational diabetes and gestational diabetes. In that case, they will monitor your baby's development and overall health and manage your health through diet counseling, glucose monitoring, and perhaps medication.

• Pre-eclampsia. Preeclampsia is an illness unique to pregnancy that causes elevated blood pressure, urine protein, and edema (swelling on the face). For women who suffer from preeclampsia liver or platelet, abnormalities are observed. It is possible to be referred to the maternal-fetal medicine specialist based upon the seriousness of your condition or if you're preterm. "The only cure for preeclampsia is to deliver your baby," explains Henderson, "so this is an illness that requires attentive monitoring to manage maternal risks against the dangers of having your baby delivered prematurely."

• Hypertension. If you have hypertension before pregnancy, A specialist in maternal-fetal medicine will observe your baby's growth and will be consulted should complications occur. Certain medications commonly prescribed outside of pregnancy to treat hypertension are not recommended during the pregnancy.

• Multiples. Pregnancies with twins or multiples with higher-order have a higher chance of developing complications. Pregnant women with multiple births tend to suffer from preeclampsia or enter preterm labor. Twins are at a greater risk likelihood of fetal anomalies as well as growth issues, particularly in the case of a shared placenta. If you are experiencing multiple pregnancies, one of the specialists in maternal-fetal medicine will closely monitor your pregnancy through additional ultrasounds. The specialist in maternal-fetal medicine will determine when and how your babies should be born. 

• Sexually transmitted disorders (STDs). In general, your obstetrician will treat you for sexually transmitted disorders that can be present during pregnancy or if there's an existing STD like herpes. In certain instances, it is recommended that you consult an expert in maternal-fetal medicine is required. For instance, if you are receiving treatment for syphilis and an ultrasound indicates that your fetus is infected. A maternal-fetal medicine specialist will be able to provide additional care and manage the situation. Maternal-fetal medicine experts typically treat women who have HIV due to complicated medication regimens.

• Obesity. Women who are obese are at a higher chance of developing diabetes, preeclampsia, hypertension, and preeclampsia. 

Do I need to be concerned that all my future pregnancies be high-risk?

Being pregnant with a high-risk baby doesn't mean that all future pregnancies are also deemed high-risk. There is a chance that an issue with your fetus one pregnancy, but not in another, and some health issues can change as time passes.

If, however, you've experienced a pregnancy ending with preterm birth and you're at a higher likelihood of experiencing preterm labor in the subsequent pregnancy. If this happens, your obstetrician will oversee your pregnancy by using medication. A medical specialist for maternal-fetal medicine will track the length of your cervical canal using ultrasound monitoring.

The most crucial aspect to consider when you have an extremely high-risk pregnancy is that your specialist in maternal-fetal health and OB/Gyn are equipped with the knowledge and experience needed to ensure that you and your baby are as healthy as possible.

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