Pregnancy can be one of the most blessed times of a woman’s life, but like everything in life, it comes with certain risks. In this detailed article, we go through the factors that lead to high-risk pregnancy, including the different lifestyle choices. Most importantly, we’ll also give you helpful tips to reduce high-risk pregnancy factors. This way, both you and your unborn child will stay healthy.

Of course, your first step will be to consult with a highly skilled professional at a reliable clinic. If you are in the area or looking for the best solution, we recommend discussing high-risk pregnancy with an ObGyn in Miami. Stay safe at all times.

With that being said, here is everything you need to know about the high-risk pregnancy factors and more.

What Makes a Pregnancy High Risk?

For starters, let us define what is a high-risk pregnancy. In a nutshell, a high-risk pregnancy is when a woman has at least one (or more) things that boost her and her unborn child’s chances of health issues, such as early birth. 

Here are some of the most common high-risk pregnancy factors:

  • Being pregnant at the age of 17 or younger
  • Pregnancy at an advanced age
  • Being underweight or overweight before pregnancy
  • Women who are pregnant with twins, triplets, or multiple babies
  • Women with diabetes, high blood pressure, or other health issues such as depression
  • Women who have already had pregnancy problems in the past
  • Women who already have a child with a birth defect or a genetic problem
  • Women who smoke, do drugs, or drink alcohol
  • Various pregnancy complications such as the unusual position of the placenta

So, what is a high-risk pregnancy? If a pregnant woman is addicted to nicotine, she is endangering her health and the health of her baby. Moreover, a woman who has had a previous high-risk pregnancy has a boosted chance of another high-risk pregnancy.

However, sometimes women are completely unaware that some of these factors may contribute to a high-risk pregnancy. We highly recommend reaching out for professional help from Dr. Deborah Siman, a licensed ob-gyn specialist in Miami, Florida. Or, you can always look for a high-risk pregnancy doctor in your area.

Never assume that your potentially harmful lifestyle choices will not affect your unborn child. Always stay safe and seek professional guidance.

Details on the High-Risk Pregnancy Factors

Asian Pregnant Woman Is Monitor Blood Pressure While She Has Headache to Prevent Hypertension During Pregnancy Period

Now that you know all the potential factors that may lead to high-risk pregnancy, let us briefly go through the most common ones and why they are harmful to your baby’s health.

Adolescent Pregnancy and Complications

Early pregnancies among young women may have major health complications such as low birth weight, neonatal conditions, and preterm delivery. Sometimes these young women are also at risk of rapid repeat pregnancy.

Sadly, pregnancy and complications during childbirth are the number one cause of fatality among girls between the ages of fifteen and nineteen.

Advanced Age and Pregnancy Complications

What makes a pregnancy high-risk? If you are a woman who is older than 35, you may have a higher chance of complications. According to research, women in an advanced maternal age group are at higher risk of gestational hypertension, gestational diabetes, and cesarean delivery. 

However, rest assured, that if you are older than 35 and pregnant your chances of delivering a healthy baby remain high.

Having Twins and Potential Complications

As mentioned, high-risk pregnancy is also associated with multiple births. Namely, women with twins or other multiple fetuses have double the chance of developing high blood pressure during pregnancy. This condition may also increase the risk of placental abruption or the early detachment of the placenta.

Substance Abuse and Pregnancy Complications

What is a high-risk pregnancy? It’s something that puts your child’s health in danger. Also, it’s something that puts the mother’s life in danger, for example, substance abuse. According to research, when a woman uses illegal drugs during pregnancy, she is at a higher risk of preterm birth, placental abruption, and fetal growth restrictions. 

Also, smokers are at higher risk of various complications, such as premature labor and miscarriage. Moreover, baby’s from smoker mothers have a higher chance of having low birth weight and weaker lungs.

Another one of the most common high-risk pregnancy factors is alcohol abuse. Research shows that women who consume alcohol in the first trimester can have babies with abnormal facial features.

Special Test that Can Help

Depending on your special situation, a professional may recommend some of the following tests:

  • Prenatal cell-free DNA screening or cfDNA
  • Specialized or targeted ultrasound
  • Invasive genetic screening
  • Biophysical profile
  • Ultrasound for cervical length
  • Laboratory tests

However, keep in mind that certain prenatal diagnostic tests such as chorionic villus sampling and amniocentesis have a slight risk of pregnancy loss. Overall, the decision to proceed with these risky tests will be up to you. You will have to consult your health care provider about these tests’ potential risks and benefits.

Symptoms of High-Risk Pregnancy

If you notice some or all of the following symptoms, you want to reach out to your healthcare provider immediately. The potential warning signs that something is wrong with your pregnancy include:

  • Watery vaginal discharge or vaginal bleeding
  • Pain/burning when urinating
  • Decreased fetal activity
  • Dizziness
  • Chills or fever
  • Constant vomiting and nausea
  • Thought of harming yourself and the baby
  • Blurred vision
  • Serious headaches that won’t go away
  • Cramping and pain in the lower abdomen

How to Minimize the Chances of a High-Risk Pregnancy?

After finding out what makes a pregnancy high-risk, let’s go through how you can boost your health and the health of your unborn child. Here are some helpful ways to make sure you have a happy and healthy pregnancy.

Book a preconception appointment.

One of the first steps you’ll need to take to ensure there are no high-risk pregnancy factors in your life is to consult with a professional before conceiving the baby. Your doctor may advise you to take daily prenatal vitamins with folic acid. You may also need to lose weight or gain weight for a healthier pregnancy. Moreover, if you have a medical illness, you will need to adjust the treatment for pregnancy preparations. Your doctor may also talk to you about potential genetic disorders.

Adjust your diet.

For a healthy pregnancy, you’ll want to consume a nutrient-dense diet full of folate-rich foods such as oranges, asparagus, lentils, and calcium-rich dairy. Also, you might need to eat more Omega-rich fish, with the exception of those high in mercury. 

Get enough sleep.

Pregnancy, Rest, People and Expectation Concept - Happy Pregnant Woman Sleeping on Sofa at Home

Women who are pregnant should get at least seven hours of uninterrupted sleep every night. According to research, sleep helps lower the chances of health complications such as heart disease and diabetes.

If you are pregnant and find quality sleep challenging, you may want to develop a relaxing nighttime routine. For example, take a relaxing bath, meditate, or listen to some calming music.

Book an Appointment Today

Making sure you’re healthy is key for your baby’s sake. Make sure you are eating healthy, exercising moderately, and staying away from harmful substances. Also, remember to schedule an appointment with us today and have your health in check.