Precautions and Tips to Avoid High-Risk Pregnancy

While pregnancy should be a natural and risk-free process for most, there are chances that some may face what is called a high risk pregnancy care. A pregnancy is considered a high-risk one if there are potential complications that may compromise with the health of the baby, the mother, or both.

There are certain risk factors that predispose certain people to such a pregnancy, including maternal age, wherein ages before 17 and over 35 stand a greater risk; medical conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, autoimmune diseases, lung/kidney/heart problems, or any other complications during pregnancy or delivery.

​​​​​Can high-risk pregnancy be prevented?

High-risk pregnancies can't always be entirely prevented, as some risk factors may be beyond one's control, such as age or certain medical conditions. However, there are steps that individuals and healthcare providers can take to reduce the risk and manage the pregnancy more effectively. 

Tips to prevent having a high-risk pregnancy

There are a few high-risk pregnancy precautions that can take, and a few tips to avoid high risk pregnancy. Read further to know them.

• Preconception appointment - You can take a few steps even before conception. Scheduling a preconception appointment at a high-risk pregnancy hospital can help your health care provider to reach a healthy weight before getting pregnant, prescribe essential vitamins, adjust treatments and discuss the risks you might have because of your health conditions. This may reduce the risk of developing a high-risk pregnancy in the future.

• Regular visits to the health care provider - Prenatal care is essential to monitor your health and the baby’s development. You may be referred to a specialist if the situation calls for it, and any queries or concerns can be addressed. The sooner a problem is diagnosed, the better are the chances to manage it.

• Eat a healthy diet - This may sound obvious but you will need certain things such as folic acid, calcium, protein and iron to supplement your body during pregnancy. You will also need to gain weight accordingly in order to support your baby’s health. This also means that you will have to avoid substances such as alcohol, tobacco, etc.

• Managing anxiety - Anxiety can be detrimental to both the mother’s and baby’s health. You must consult your health care provider and ask him/her to suggest feasible ways to relax and remain calm in the face of difficulties. A few techniques such as suggested exercise or music can help reduce unnecessary stress.

• Tests - Maternity hospitals in India may ask you to take a few tests such as an ultrasound, a chorionic villus sampling, cordocentesis, ultrasound for cervical length lab tests and a biophysical profile to monitor the baby’s development and manage the risks accordingly. Some prenatal diagnostic tests such as amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling carry a small risk of loss of pregnancy and so the decision to get these done is completely up to the mother and her partner, after a discussion with the health care provider from the best hospital for high-risk pregnancy.

• Risk symptoms - Always be on the lookout for symptoms such as vaginal bleeding, pain or cramping in the lower abdomen, severe headaches, contractions, decreased foetal activity, pain or burning during urination, water vaginal discharge, and changes in vision. Do not overlook this and refer to a maternity CARE Hospitals in Hyderabad or the nearest city immediately.