Pregnant women need proper nutrition and care to prevent health risks to the child and herself. A woman is considered to be at a high risk if the development of baby poses health risks for the baby and the mother. Pregnancy can be wearisome even for healthy women but in some cases the woman needs to contact a medical practitioner immediately, as she gets pregnant. Sometimes, a pregnant woman is not at a high risk at the start but in any of the trimester of the nine months, if she comes in contact with certain radiations or infections, pregnancy may get risky.
There are many situations, when a woman is at high risk and some of the common causes for high risk pregnancy are:
1. Age: Women, who are above 35 years or below fifteen years, are at a high risk. The girls less than fifteen years can suffer from condition called preeclampsia. Preeclampsia is a condition, in which, a woman may suffer from high blood pressure, changes in liver enzymes and urinary protein. The pregnant women may have many related problems such as disease of kidney, brain and liver and she can prevent risks by taking treatments but if the condition gets severe, it may cause seizures.
2. Weight: Overweight woman may suffer complexities during pregnancy.
3. Previous pregnancy: Women who had complexities or miscarriage, in previous pregnancy are at a high risk.
4. Heath condition: If a woman suffers from certain health conditions such as preeclampsia, diabetes or HIV, she may face problems. There are many diseases such as heart disease, asthma and thyroid, which can increase the risk.
5. Gestational diabetes: It is only found in pregnant women, who are otherwise normal. Many women, who suffer from gestational diabetes, may deliver healthy babies.
6. HIV: Infection of virus damages the immune system of the body and the condition may reduce the ability of the body to prevent infections. Women, who are HIV positive, may have problems during pregnancy but they can prevent the infection from spreading to the child by taking precautions and appropriate treatment.
7. Premature rupture: If the water breaks before time, it can cause infection and anatomic problems.
8. Risk of preterm labor: Women who have labor before the completion of thirty-seven weeks may deliver preterm babies. Preterm babies are not properly developed to stay healthy outside the mother's womb and the condition may be caused by a short cervix, infections or in women who previously delivered preterm baby. It can be prevented by taking appropriate treatment and care.
9. Rh Compatibility: Sometimes, the mismatching Rh, can produce harmful blood cells in mother's body and it increases risk.
10. Multiple pregnancies and previous pregnancies: A woman who has many fetuses in her womb may need extra care. Women, who had more than five pregnancies previously, are at a high risk.
11. Tests: If the pre natal test shows the baby suffers from some problems, then extra care may be needed.
12. Intake of alcohol or drug: Women, who take alcohol or drug, may suffer from premature breaking of membrane.
