How are high-risk pregnancies managed?

In this article, we discuss the main risk factors and causes associated with high-risk pregnancies, whilst also telling you about the general outlook for women with a high-risk pregnancy.

What is meant by high-risk pregnancy?

High-risk pregnancy refers to pregnancies that pose potential risks to the health and well-being of the mother and/or the baby. While many pregnancies proceed without complications, some women may experience medical conditions or factors that increase the likelihood of complications during pregnancy, labour, or delivery.

What are the main causes of high-risk pregnancies?

There are various factors that may contribute to a high-risk pregnancy, including maternal age, medical history, lifestyle factors, and pre-existing health conditions. Advanced maternal age, typically defined as age 35 or older, is one of the most common risk factors for pregnancy complications, including gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and chromosomal abnormalities such as Down syndrome. Young maternal age, particularly in adolescents, may also increase the risk of complications due to inadequate prenatal care, socioeconomic factors, and lack of support.

What are the associated risk factors?

Women with pre-existing health conditions, such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, autoimmune disorders, or thyroid disorders may be at increased risk for pregnancy complications, as these conditions can impact the health of both the mother and the baby. Additionally, women with a history of previous pregnancy complications, such as premature birth, miscarriage, stillbirth, or caesarean delivery, may be considered at higher risk for recurrence of these complications in subsequent pregnancies.

Other factors that may contribute to a high-risk pregnancy include multiple gestation (twins, triplets, or higher-order multiples), placental abnormalities, foetal growth restriction, and certain lifestyle factors such as smoking, alcohol use, or substance abuse. 

How are high-risk pregnancies managed?

The management of a high-risk pregnancy typically involves close monitoring and coordination of care between the patient and a multidisciplinary team of healthcare providers, including obstetricians, maternal-foetal medicine specialists, perinatologists, genetic counsellors, neonatologists, and other specialists as needed.

Prenatal care for high-risk pregnancies may involve more frequent prenatal visits, specialised testing and screenings, foetal monitoring, and early intervention to prevent or manage potential complications.

What is the outlook for women with high-risk pregnancies?

Despite the increased risk of complications, many women with high-risk pregnancies go on to have successful outcomes with proper medical care and management. By receiving timely and appropriate prenatal care, adhering to medical recommendations, and making lifestyle modifications as needed, women can optimise their chances of a healthy pregnancy and delivery, even in the setting of high-risk factors.