Pregnancy risks
May 31, 2008
Every pregnancy has some risks, but there are more dangers to your health and the health of your fetus with a high-risk pregnancy. The causes can be conditions you already have or conditions you develop. They also include being pregnant with more than one baby, previous problem pregnancies, or being over age 35. If you have a chronic condition, you should talk to your health care provider about how to minimize your risk before you get pregnant. Once you are pregnant, you may need a health care team to monitor your pregnancy. Examples of common conditions that can complicate a pregnancy called as pregnancy risks include
· Heart disease
· High blood pressure
· Kidney problems
· Autoimmune disorders
· Sexually transmitted diseases
· Diabetes
· Cancer
When women have had a problem in one pregnancy, they are more likely to have a problem, often the same one, in subsequent pregnancies. Such pregnancy risks include having had a premature baby, an underweight baby, a baby that weighed more than 10 pounds, a baby with birth defects, a previous miscarriage, a late (postterm) delivery (after 42 weeks of pregnancy), Rh incompatibility that required a blood transfusion to the fetus, or a delivery that required a cesarean section.
If women have had a baby who died shortly after birth, they are also more likely to have problems in subsequent pregnancy risks. An expecting mother should be especially careful about adequate nutrition and exercise. Good nutrition is crucial to a developing child.
Apart from a healthy regular diet you should get enough folic acid to avoid birth defects. At least 400-1000 micrograms of this essential vitamin B is suggested starting one month before pregnancy and throughout the entire pregnancy to overcome pregnancy risks. Leafy vegetables, orange juice, and beans are some natural sources of folic acid. In the market you may also get vitamins tablets/capsules with folic acid.
A second essential for a healthy childbirth is moderate exercise. Exercise improves the mother’s mental state and can increase oxygen flow to the fetus. However, over-exertion can be dangerous. Activities like walking, swimming, and yoga are generally advised for pregnant women to avoid pregnancy risks. Most women will see one healthcare provider during pregnancy, either an obstetrician, a midwife, or a nurse practitioner. Women who have a medical problem may need to see a medical specialist as well.
Women diagnosed with a pregnancy risks may also need the expert advice and care of a perinatologist. A perinatologist is a medical doctor (obstetrician) who specializes in the care of women who are at high risk for having problems during pregnancy. Perinatologists care for women who have pre-existing medical problems as well as women who develop complications during pregnancy.




















