Is your pregnancy high-risk? (High-Risk Pregnancy) Don't worry, let's talk about this!

Has your doctor told you that your pregnancy is high-risk? It's normal to feel a little scared and anxious when you hear those words. "What if something happens to my baby?" and "What if something happens to me?" are probably coming to mind. But don't worry. Being "high-risk" doesn't mean that you or your baby will definitely have problems. It just means that you and your baby need to take extra care of themselves. So let's talk about this in a simple way today to dispel any fears you may have.

Simply put, what is a "high-risk pregnancy"?

Pregnancy is a time of risk for everyone. But a "high-risk pregnancy" is one that poses a greater health risk to the mother, baby, or both than a normal pregnancy.

Think of it this way. It's not like driving a car on a normal road, but when we go on a road that's a little winding and steep, we're a little more careful, right? We slow down, we pay close attention. That's how it is with this. When doctors know there's a risk, they check you and the baby more closely and more often. They do the necessary tests. That's like paying extra attention to getting to your destination safely .

This way, you get more medical attention, which often allows you to identify potential problems early and manage them. So remember, don't be afraid to hear this name. In many cases, mothers with high-risk pregnancies give birth to healthy babies without any problems.

What are the factors that can make pregnancy risky?

There is not one reason why pregnancy can be risky, but several reasons can affect it. Sometimes these risk factors may be present at the time of conception. Other times, new conditions may arise during pregnancy. Let's divide these into three main categories.

1. Pre-existing health conditions: This means illnesses that you had before you became pregnant.

2. New health conditions during pregnancy: New problems that arise after pregnancy.

3. Lifestyle factors: Things like smoking and drugs.

To understand these points more clearly, let's look at this table.

What are the possible symptoms of a high-risk pregnancy?

In fact, it doesn't matter whether your pregnancy is risky or not, you should immediately inform a doctor if you experience any symptoms. Because sometimes, even during a normal pregnancy, complications can suddenly arise.

If you have any of the following symptoms, call your doctor or go to the nearest hospital without delay .

• Persistent, severe abdominal pain.
• Chest pain.
• Dizziness or fainting.
• Feeling more tired than usual.
• The baby's movements (squirming) stop or decrease significantly.
• Abnormally fast heart rate (heart palpitations).
• Persistent vomiting and nausea that is worse than normal morning sickness.
• A severe headache that doesn't subside in any way, but rather gets worse and worse.
• Swelling, redness, or pain in the face or limbs.
• Thoughts of harming oneself.
• Difficulty breathing.
• Vaginal bleeding or abnormal discharge.

Always be aware of these symptoms. If you have any doubts, even if it's just a small one, never hesitate to ask your doctor.

What are the possible complications of a high-risk pregnancy?

A high-risk pregnancy is something that requires extra attention because the chances of certain complications occurring are slightly higher than normal. Doctors try to prevent these complications from occurring.

Some possible complications are:

• Preeclampsia: High blood pressure during pregnancy and the risk of damage to other organs.
• Preterm delivery: The birth of a baby before the due date.
• Having to have a cesarean delivery: Having to have a baby delivered through surgery instead of a normal delivery.
• Excessive bleeding during or after childbirth (Postpartum hemorrhage).
• Low birth weight of the child.
• Birth defects: Problems that occur during the development of the baby's organs.
• Having to be admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) after the baby is born.
• The mother had to receive treatment in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
• Risk of miscarriage or stillbirth.

How is a high-risk pregnancy managed and monitored?

If you are diagnosed with a high-risk pregnancy, your medical team will monitor you and your baby very closely. This may include a variety of things.

Regular tests

• Blood and urine tests: Check your health status and the risk of your baby having genetic conditions.
• Ultrasound scans: Check to see if the baby is growing properly and if organs are forming properly. You may need to have more scans than during a normal pregnancy.
• Other specialized tests: Tests such as a nonstress test and a biophysical profile, which check the baby's heart rate and placental function, may also be performed.

Treatment and management

The treatment plan will vary depending on the cause of your risk.

• Frequent appointments with the doctor: You will be taken to the clinic for checkups more often than usual.
• Referral to specialists: Sometimes, in addition to an obstetrician and gynecologist, you may need to seek the help of specialists in other diseases, such as heart disease and kidney disease.
• Measuring blood pressure at home: Your doctor may advise you to check your blood pressure at home.
• Medication monitoring: We will carefully review the medications you are already taking to see if they are suitable for pregnancy and if their dosage needs to be changed.
• Early delivery: Sometimes, if continuing the pregnancy is considered to be dangerous for the mother or the baby, doctors may decide to induce labor or deliver the baby by cesarean section before the due date.

What can I do to prevent a risky pregnancy?

Some risk factors are beyond our control (for example, genetic conditions). However, there are many things you can do to reduce your risk of complications during pregnancy. It's especially important to think about these things in advance if you're planning to have a baby.

• Healthy lifestyle: Completely stop drinking alcohol, smoking, and taking any medications without medical advice.
• Seek medical advice before pregnancy: If you are planning to have a child, see a doctor beforehand and discuss your family medical history and any medical conditions you may have. This will help you manage them early.
• Maintaining a healthy weight: Try to maintain a healthy weight for your height even before pregnancy.
• Control existing diseases: If you have diseases like diabetes or high blood pressure, control them well before getting pregnant.
• Safe sex: Protect yourself from sexually transmitted diseases (STIs).

How can I keep my mind calm during this time?

It's normal to feel scared and anxious when you hear the word "risk." However, your mental health is also very important during this time.

• Trust your medical team: Remember, they are there to help you and your baby. Talk to them about any concerns or fears you have. Don't keep anything to yourself.
• Get support: Talk to your husband, family, and best friends about this. It's so important to know you're not alone.
• Focus on healthy habits: Get enough sleep. If your doctor allows it, do some light exercise. Eat nutritious foods. These are things you can control, so when you do them right, you'll feel energized.
• Self-care: Do something you enjoy. Read a book, listen to a song, do some calming meditation. It's good for your baby to be happy too.