Pregnancy is a natural process. After a full-term pregnancy, the person goes into labor and gives birth to a healthy baby if they have no pregnancy-related complications.
Pregnancy is considered high-risk when there are potential complications that affect both the mother and baby.
How to promote a healthy pregnancy
For a healthy pregnancy, here are a few basic tips:
- Schedule a preconception appointment: If you are planning for pregnancy, visit your healthcare provider, who may suggest folic acid and vitamin supplements and prepare you for pregnancy. If you have any underlying medical condition, your healthcare provider may make slight changes in the treatment to avoid drug-induced complications. Your healthcare provider may discuss the risk of having a baby with genetic conditions.
- Schedule regular prenatal care: Regular prenatal care during pregnancy may help check your and your baby's health.
- Avoid harmful substances: Tobacco, alcohol, and illegal drugs.
- Eat healthily and exercise daily: This may help you stay active during pregnancy.
- Maintain healthy weight
- Protect yourself from infections
- Do not have unprotected sex, especially when your partner is with history of sexually transmitted diseases
High-risk factors for pregnancy
The following are the factors that increase the risk of pregnancy:
- Maternal age
- One of the most important factors for high-risk pregnancy. A person older than 35 years tends to get more pregnancy complications.
- Medical conditions before pregnancy
- The following medical conditions increase pregnancy complications:
- Increased blood pressure
- High blood sugar levels
- Liver, lung, and heart diseases
- Depression
- Obesity
- Autoimmune diseases
- Sexually transmitted diseases
- The following medical conditions increase pregnancy complications:
- Pregnancy-related issues
- Premature labor: Also called preterm birth and occurs when the baby is born before 37 weeks of pregnancy. Preterm birth is associated with various health problems and developmental delays in children. The preterm birth rate in the United States in 2021 was 10.5 percent.
- Multiple births: A pregnancy with twins, triplets, or quadruplets increases the risk of complications and may result in premature births, pregnancy-related blood pressure, and gestational diabetes. Multiple births are seen in people using infertility treatments. These babies may reach developmental milestones late or have cerebral palsy.
- Placenta previa: The cervix is covered by the placenta and results in bleeding, especially when the woman has contractions. A cesarean section is usually performed to avoid bleeding complications in both the mother and the baby.
- Fetal problems: Diagnosed via ultrasound. Some of the fetal problems are because of family history or unexpected.
QUESTION
The first sign of pregnancy is most often: See AnswerWhen to talk to your doctor about your pregnancy
Talk to your healthcare provider about how to manage health conditions during pregnancy.
If you have any of the following, consult your doctor immediately:
What are the diagnostic tests that help to check your health during pregnancy?
The following tests are recommended during pregnancy:
- Complete blood count
- Urinalysis and urine tests
- Blood type testing
- Rh factor test
- Test for infectious diseases
- Screening for gestational diabetes
- Check blood pressure
What diagnostic tests help to check a baby's health during pregnancy?
A few tests that help check the baby's health and well-being are
- Nonstress tests
- Biophysical profiles
- Contraction stress tests
- Fetal movement count
- Ultrasound and doppler test
Medically Reviewed on 12/21/2022
References
Image Source: iStock image
High-risk pregnancy: Know what to expect. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/pregnancy-week-by-week/in-depth/high-risk-pregnancy/art-20047012
Managing a High-Risk Pregnancy. https://www.webmd.com/baby/managing-a-high-risk-pregnancy
High-Risk Pregnancy: What You Need to Know. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/staying-healthy-during-pregnancy/high-risk-pregnancy-what-you-need-to-know
High-risk pregnancy: Know what to expect. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/pregnancy-week-by-week/in-depth/high-risk-pregnancy/art-20047012
Managing a High-Risk Pregnancy. https://www.webmd.com/baby/managing-a-high-risk-pregnancy
High-Risk Pregnancy: What You Need to Know. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/staying-healthy-during-pregnancy/high-risk-pregnancy-what-you-need-to-know
Complete List
Top What Pregnancies Are High-Risk Related Articles
Pregnancy Discomforts: Common Causes
During pregnancy, most women will experience discomforts during the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd trimesters. Common causes of discomforts during pregnancy include nausea and vomiting (morning sickness), fatigue, breast swelling and pain, hemorrhoids, stretch marks, mood swings, dizziness, migraines, tooth pain and bleeding gums, and pica. Common causes of pregnancy discomforts include constipation, heartburn, indigestion, reflux, varicose veins, abdominal pain, problems sleeping, congested or bloody nose, and flu like body aches.
What Are the Do's and Don'ts During the First Trimester of Pregnancy?
The first trimester of your pregnancy is the first twelve weeks that you're pregnant. The do's during the first trimester of pregnancy include getting prenatal care and maintaining your health, rest and mental health; the don't include drinking alcohol, smoking, using drugs, eating dangerous foods and engaging in risky behaviors.
16 Early Signs & Symptoms of Pregnancy: Could You Be Pregnant?
What are the early signs and symptoms of pregnancy? Can you know before your missed period? Read about nausea and vomiting (morning sickness), bloating, tender breasts, and more. Explore first trimester symptoms of pregnancy and learn what week pregnancy symptoms start.
Am I Pregnant Quiz
What are early pregnancy symptoms? In some women, symptoms range from a missed period to feeling lightheaded. Others may experience typical "morning sickness" and food cravings. Could you be pregnant? Take the quiz!
Exercise & Pregnancy
Pregnancy exercises and workouts for moms-to-be include Kegel exercises and prenatal yoga. A prenatal workout is an important part of healthy living. Try these safe exercises for pregnancy.
What Foods Should Be Avoided During the First Trimester of Pregnancy?
The first trimester is the first 3 months of your pregnancy. Foods to avoid during the third trimester of pregnancy include raw or undercooked seafood; seafood containing mercury; raw or undercooked eggs; unpasteurized milk or other dairy products; raw sprouts and unwashed vegetables and fruits.
Pregnancy: Multiple Births, Twins, Triplets, and More
Multiple births occur when a woman bears twins, triplets, or even more babies during pregnancy. More multiples are born today thanks to assisted reproductive technology (ART), including in vitro fertilization using fertility drugs. Women carrying multiples often give birth via C-section.
Pregnancy Myths and Facts Quiz
Being pregnant is a delicate time for both mother and baby. Take this pregnancy myths and facts quiz to separate the myths and facts about being pregnant, and learn the truth behind healthy pregnancies!
Pregnancy Planning (Tips)
Pregnancy planning is an important step in preparation for starting or expanding a family. Planning for a pregnancy includes taking prenatal vitamins, eating healthy for you and your baby, disease prevention (for both parents and baby) to prevent birth defects and infections, avoiding certain medications that may be harmful to your baby, how much weight gain is healthy exercise safety and pregnancy, travel during pregnancy.
Pregnancy Diet (Menu Plans)
When a woman is pregnant, she needs more vitamins, minerals, and other foods in her diet to stay healthy and deliver a healthy baby. A healthy pregnancy diet menu plan should consist of lots of fruits, vegetables, lean meats (unless you are vegan or vegetarian), and dairy. Examples of healthy pregnancy diet meal plans include holistic pregnancy diet, vegan or vegetarian diet, and low-carb diets. Begin your healthy eating plan around three months before you begin trying to conceive, and follow the same eating plan until after you have stopped breastfeeding. If you are overweight or obese, being pregnant is not the right time to try to lose weight. Discuss your options with your health care professional.
What Foods Should I Eat During My First Trimester of Pregnancy?
What to know about diet during the first trimester. Learn more about how to protect and fuel your body and baby during this exciting time.
Pregnancy: 7 Common Third Trimester Tests
Testing is often recommended during the third trimester of pregnancy. These tests are designed to ensure the health and safety of both the child and mother. Common tests during the third trimester of a woman's pregnancy include:- group B streptococcus screening,
- electronic fetal heart monitoring,
- nonstress test,
- contraction stress test, and
- a biophysical profile.
What Vitamins and Supplements Should I Avoid During Pregnancy?
You should always clear it with your obstetrician before taking any vitamins or supplements while pregnant.What Does Early Pregnancy Cramping Feel Like?
Many people experience cramping early in their pregnancy. Learn the signs of cramping, what causes it, when to see a doctor, and what you can do to treat it. The first week of the pregnancy is when the egg has been released from the ovum, the egg then combines with sperm and conception occurs. Progesterone and estrogen hormones, which are a part of the normal menstrual cycle, rise dramatically. A new hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) begins to be produced as well.
What Does Pregnancy Nausea Feel Like?
Nausea felt during pregnancy is known as morning sickness, which may range from mild bloating and indigestion to frank vomiting.
Which Trimester Do You Gain the Most Weight During Pregnancy?
You don't need to gain much weight during the first trimester, however, during the second and third trimesters your weight gain should be pretty steady.