A high-risk pregnancy does not always mean your pregnancy will be more challenging than a low-risk one. However, it may sometimes mean you must consult the top gynaecologist in Mohali for more detailed and frequent monitoring. 

Whether this is your first or third pregnancy, hearing your doctor describe your pregnancy as high-risk can be frightening. However, “high-risk pregnancy” refers to a broad range of common pre-existential conditions you had before conceiving. Keep reading on to get all the facts about a high-risk pregnancy. 

Causes of High-Risk Pregnancy?

According to an experienced gynaecologist in Mohali, here are the top causes of high-risk pregnancy that you should know about:

• Age – Age can be vital in determining whether the pregnancy is high-risk. According to doctors, women under 17 or older than 35 are at a higher risk of having a high-risk pregnancy. Pregnancy during this age can lead to low birth weight, premature birth, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and caesarean birth. Consult the best gynaecologist in Chandigarh to know more about the High-risk pregnancy age.
• Weight – Women underweight or overweight during conception have a higher probability of high-risk pregnancy. An experienced gynaecologist can help you understand how to manage a healthy body weight. 
• Health Conditions – Certain health conditions also make women vulnerable to having a high-risk pregnancy. For instance, high blood pressure, depression, diabetes, thyroid, asthma, epilepsy, heart disorders, etc.
• Multiples – Compared to twin and singleton pregnancies, triplet pregnancies have a greater risk of foetal and maternal morbidity and complications. 
• Past Conditions – Women with severe issues during their previous pregnancies are also vulnerable to high-risk pregnancies. For instance, pregnancies like premature delivery or genetic defects in the infant. 
• Other Causes – Substance abuse, smoking, and alcohol can also increase your chances of high-risk pregnancy. Meet the top gynaecologist in Mohali to get the list of high-risk pregnancy conditions. It can immensely help!

Working with the top gynaecologist in the city is crucial to managing current and probable health issues if your pregnancy is labelled high-risk. 

When to See the Doctor?

Experienced gynaecologists in Chandigarh can help manage your high-risk pregnancy effectively. First, however, here are some high-risk pregnancy symptoms you must immediately bring to your doctor’s attention. if you live in Chandigarh or nearby areas, then you can visit Dr. Lavleen Kaurd Sodhi, she is expert in high-risk pregnancies and runs the best maternity hospital in tricity.

• Watery vaginal discharge
• Vaginal bleeding
• Cramping or pain in the lower abdomen
• Severe headaches
• Chills or fever
• Low fetal activity
• Burning sensation or pain while urinating
• Change in vision
• Severe, sudden swelling in hands, fingers, and face
• Persistent nausea or vomiting
• Dizziness
• Thoughts of harming the baby or yourself

How can you Promote a Healthy Pregnancy?

Stick to the fundamentals whether you know you’ll have a high-risk pregnancy or merely want to do everything possible to avoid one. For instance: 

• Take a Preconception Appointment – Consult your doctor if you plan to getting pregnant in your late 30s. Before getting pregnant, your doctor can advise you to take a daily prenatal supplement with folic acid. Moreover, try to maintain a healthy weight before you get pregnant. If you are undergoing treatment for any condition, your gynaecologist can customise your high-risk pregnancy treatment accordingly. Your doctor may also discuss the risks of having a child with genetic disorders. 
• Regular Prenatal Care – Prenatal visits are crucial as it helps the doctor to diagnose your and your child’s health. Your gynaecologist may also refer you to a maternal-fetal medicine or genetics expert for a detailed screening. 

• Avoid Risky Substances – Quitting consumption of illegal drugs, smoking, and alcohol can be one of the best things you can do for your high-risk pregnancy. Moreover, you can anytime go for counselling to manage your withdrawal symptoms. Apart from this, disclose all the medications and supplements you are currently taking to help your gynaecologist identify your most effective treatment plan. 
• Stay away from Infections – Some basic hygiene habits can help significantly manage high-risk pregnancies. For instance, avoid eating uncovered and street-side food or washing hands frequently. Eating raw vegetables, undercooked meat, and shellfish can also make you vulnerable to Toxoplasma gondii. Consider getting immunisations if your gynaecologist recommends it. 

High-Risk Pregnancy Diagnosis

Receiving thorough prenatal treatment at an early stage is essential. It is the greatest way to identify and treat a high-risk pregnancy. In addition, such pregnancies may require additional monitoring throughout your pregnancy. Here are some tests to ascertain if the pregnancy is high-risk:

• Targeted or Specialised Ultrasound – Gyneacologists sometimes recommend a specialised or targeted ultrasound. It is an imaging technology that uses high-frequency sound waves to develop images of the unborn baby. It helps in identifying suspected developmental issues.
• Prenatal Cell-Free DNA (cfDNA) Screening – In this process, DNA from the mother and the foetus is taken from a sample of the mother’s blood. The foetal DNA is then checked for the increased likelihood of particular chromosome issues.
• Invasive Genetic Screening – Your doctor may advise chorionic villus sampling (CVS) or amniocentesis. Your doctor will conduct an amniocentesis procedure here. The sample of the amniotic fluid, which surrounds and shields a developing infant during pregnancy, is taken from the uterus. This screening is usually performed after week 15 of pregnancy. It can effectively diagnose severe brain or spinal cord issues and specific genetic conditions (neural tube defects). 
• Ultrasound for Cervical Length – Your doctor can prescribe this ultrasound to measure your cervix’s length. It is a great way to check if you are at risk of having preterm labour. 
• Lab Tests – Regular urine tests can help identify UTIs and screen you for syphilis and HIV. 
• Biophysical Profile – This prenatal scan aims to examine a baby’s health. It might only entail an ultrasound to assess the health of the foetus or foetal heart rate monitoring based on the ultrasound results (nonstress test). 

Bottom Line

So, it was all about high-risk pregnancies, you should know. Feeling overwhelmed about it initially is completely natural. However, the best guidance and support can make things much safer and smoother. 

You should consult the best gynaecologist near you for a healthy delivery. Here’s how you can find the best gynaecologist in Chandigarh. Lastly, eat healthily, do light exercises, and maintain your weight, blood sugar, and blood pressure levels.