Definition of Risky Pregnancies
Risky Pregnancies | High-risk pregnancies are pregnancies that pose a higher risk of health problems for the mother or baby. These types of pregnancies are usually associated with certain risk factors or conditions that can be identified in advance. High-risk pregnancies may require closer monitoring, special treatment, and more frequent doctor visits for the mother or baby. In these types of pregnancies, the healthcare team takes a more careful approach and takes the necessary precautions to prevent or minimize complications.
High-risk pregnancies can be associated with serious complications that may require medical intervention in some cases. Therefore, it is extremely important to recognize and effectively manage such pregnancies early. Identifying and managing high-risk pregnancies is vital to protecting the health of both the mother and the baby.
Symptoms and Diagnosis of Risky Pregnancies
The symptoms of high-risk pregnancies can often differ from the normal course of pregnancy and usually include:
Bleeding or spotting: Bleeding or spotting during pregnancy can indicate a potential problem and should be taken seriously.
Severe abdominal pain: Mild abdominal pain is normal in normal pregnancy, but severe or persistent abdominal pain can be a sign of pregnancy complications.
Fluid retention and edema: Although abnormally high fluid retention or edema has been removed from the criteria for mild preeclampsia today, it may be useful to review and exclude potential risk conditions in these cases.
High blood pressure: High blood pressure during pregnancy can be a symptom of preeclampsia or other pregnancy-related complications.
Symptoms of urinary tract infection: Although urinary tract infections are frequently observed during pregnancy, it is important to treat them when detected. Untreated urinary tract infections can potentially lead to problems such as premature birth. Therefore, early diagnosis and treatment may be required.
High-risk pregnancies can be detected with a detailed history taken during a pre-pregnancy interview or the first interview in early pregnancy. The doctor will evaluate the mother’s medical history and pre-pregnancy health, perform a physical exam, and may order certain tests or imaging studies if necessary. In addition, the baby’s health and development may be monitored using ultrasound or other imaging techniques. Diagnosis is important for identifying high-risk pregnancies and developing an appropriate treatment plan.
Who is Classified as a Risky Pregnancy?
Age Factor: Pregnancies at a young age (under 16) or at an older age (over 35) are generally considered risky. Pregnancy complications may be more common in young mothers because their bodies may not yet be fully developed. In advanced pregnancies, conditions such as high blood pressure and gestational diabetes may occur in the mother during pregnancy, and the possibility of fetal anomalies and other health problems increases in the fetus and due to advanced maternal age.
However, due to today’s working conditions, many women can have children over the age of 35. Although these pregnancies carry some risks due to age, these conditions can now be detected very early thanks to advanced diagnosis and treatment conditions. In addition, with the increase in awareness, today’s mothers-to-be take very good care of themselves, so such problems are very rare. The perception that anomalies are encountered over the age of 35 seems to be a perception that needs to be changed. If these mothers-to-be do not ignore the information that close monitoring is required over the age of 35 and follow their doctors’ recommendations, they can have a good pregnancy and a healthy baby.
Previous Pregnancy Complications: Women who have had complications such as preeclampsia, premature birth, miscarriage or birth defects in previous pregnancies may be at risk in their next pregnancies.
Medical History: Medical conditions such as chronic diseases (e.g. diabetes, hypertension), obesity and thyroid diseases of the expectant mother may be associated with risky pregnancies.
Reproductive System Problems: Reproductive system problems such as previous miscarriages, poor sperm quality or blocked tubes may increase the risk of risky pregnancies.
Complications During Pregnancy: Certain complications that occur during pregnancy, especially conditions such as preeclampsia, placenta previa and premature birth tendency, are considered risky pregnancies.
Multiple Pregnancies: Expecting twins or more babies are at higher risk than those of a normal pregnancy because these conditions increase the risk of complications.
Smoking, Alcohol and Drug Use: Smoking, drinking alcohol or using drugs before or during pregnancy have been associated with risky pregnancies.
These factors play an important role in triggering risky pregnancies and are carefully evaluated by healthcare professionals. The mother’s medical history, lifestyle and pre-pregnancy condition are critical in determining possible risks during pregnancy.
Management and Treatment of Risky Pregnancies
Regular Follow-up and Monitoring: Regular check-ups are of great importance in risky pregnancies. Frequent doctor visits may be required to monitor the health of the mother and the baby. Potential problems are monitored during these check-ups using blood pressure, urine analysis, ultrasound and other tests.
Medical Intervention: In some risky pregnancies, medical intervention, such as premature birth, may be required. In addition, certain medications may be prescribed for conditions such as preeclampsia, pregnancy cholestasis or gestational diabetes.
Diet and Exercise: Maintaining a healthy lifestyle plays an important role in the management of risky pregnancies. Nutritional counseling and a regular exercise program can help the pregnancy progress healthily and prevent potential complications.
Rest and Stress Management: Reducing stress and ensuring adequate rest is important in risky pregnancies. The expectant mother can use relaxation techniques (e.g. yoga, meditation, breathing exercises) to reduce stress and pay attention to her sleep pattern.
Early Diagnosis and Intervention: Early diagnosis and intervention are vital in risky pregnancies. Early diagnosis allows potential complications to be quickly identified and appropriate treatment or management to be initiated. Therefore, it is very important not to neglect your doctor’s check-ups. In addition, some diseases such as gestational cholestasis, which can complicate the pregnancy process, can occur in the last stages of pregnancy. Therefore, it is very important to have regular check-ups during every stage of pregnancy.
Birth Planning: Birth planning should be done carefully in risky pregnancies. Healthcare professionals can determine the birth plan in advance to ensure that the mother and baby have the safest birth. In some cases, a planned cesarean section or early induction of labor may be necessary.
Psychological Support: It is important to provide psychological support for the mother-to-be who is having a risky pregnancy. Participating in support groups, receiving therapy or communicating with the close circle can support emotional and psychological health.
The combination of these methods can be used effectively in the management of risky pregnancies and is important for protecting the health of the mother and the baby. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Esra ÖZBAŞLI will create an appropriate treatment and management plan, taking into account the special conditions of each expectant mother.
