For the majority of women, pregnancy is a stage that is not matched by any other stage in a woman’s life in terms of expectations and joyful hopes in anticipation of the happy event. As for the biological aspect, pregnancy is a natural stage despite the accompanying physiological changes that occur in the functions of many organs of the body, for example For example, the heart and blood vessels, lungs, kidneys and others. All of these changes are very important to prepare the woman''s body to receive the fetus and its growth inside the womb, but is pregnancy always a normal stage and does it necessarily lead to the desired result? There are 5 to 10 percent of pregnant women whose pregnancy can be exposed to complications that may cause disability to the mother or fetus and sometimes may lead to death. The definition of a high-risk pregnancy is a pregnancy that is accompanied by an additional risk due to the presence of one or several factors that increase the possibility of the mother or fetus being affected during pregnancy or childbirth with disabilities that may lead in the most serious cases to death.
Factors that can lead to the risk of pregnancy are
Pregnancy at a very early age (less than 15 years) or at a late age (over 40).
Excessive obesity, which may be accompanied by an increased risk of diabetes or high blood pressure, as well as extreme thinness, as the mother is prone to premature births or a lack of fetal growth.
The mother has had premature births or repeated miscarriages in the past. That the mother suffers from high blood pressure, diabetes, lupus erythematosus, a defect in the heart valves, or one of the chronic diseases that can affect the development of the fetus inside the womb, in addition to the possibility of a deterioration in the mother’s condition during pregnancy.
The birth of a child suffering from congenital abnormalities such as abnormalities of the heart or nervous system, or suffering from a genetic defect.
Having a history of hereditary disease in the family.
That the mother had suffered in a previous pregnancy the death of the fetus in the womb or immediately after birth.
Pregnancy of twins, especially triplets and above.
Classifying a pregnancy as high-risk does not necessarily mean that the results will always be negative. Rather, a very high percentage of these pregnant women can avoid complications or reduce their effects on their health and the health of their children through good and regular follow-up during pregnancy.
Therefore, the first step to solving any problem is to identify and diagnose it, and to identify the mothers and fetuses most at risk during pregnancy or childbirth, a comprehensive survey of all pregnant women must be conducted to identify the group with high-risk pregnancy and this is done through antenatal follow-up (pregnancy care), so All pregnant women, especially those who have a history of disease or a risk factor, should review the health centers specialized in pregnancy care starting from the first months. What affects the health of the mother or fetus, so it is necessary to emphasize the necessity of regular follow-up during pregnancy.
Diagnosing high-risk pregnancy The basics of diagnosing and treating high-risk pregnancy can be summarized as follows:
A careful health history can reveal certain causes or factors that pose a risk to pregnancy.
Examination of the mother is a thorough and comprehensive examination that can lead to the discovery of a previously unknown disease. Carrying out the necessary routine medical examinations for the pregnant woman. Accurate and regular assessment of the mother''s health condition during pregnancy and refer her to the specialized clinic if necessary, such as the diabetes clinic, the heart clinic or the nutritionist. - A thorough and comprehensive examination of the fetus by ultrasound, as well as conducting some other analyzes based on the diagnosis of the condition.
Choosing the correct method of delivery and determining its time, if necessary, to avoid any injuries that may occur during the last weeks of pregnancy or during childbirth, noting that the majority of fetuses can be born naturally without any disabilities if the fetus is closely monitored during delivery.
Careful examination of the child immediately after birth to ensure that there are no injuries that may lead to permanent disability.
The follow-up of the mother during pregnancy is an important essential factor for discovering and diagnosing high-risk pregnancies in order to avoid them or reduce their effects on the health of the mother and fetus. There are also some cases in which it is necessary to consult a doctor before pregnancy, such as cases of chronic diseases that require changing treatment or regulating doses before pregnancy long enough.
Unfortunately, the biggest risk factor for women''s health as a whole is the low economic and social situation (poverty), as the majority of women within this category do not have full awareness of the importance of follow-up during pregnancy, in addition to the lack of financial means to visit specialized clinics. Therefore, concerted efforts must be made by all Health systems in order to facilitate access to health services and educational awareness for this group of society. Consultant Obstetrics and Gynecology at King Abdulaziz Medical City for Health Affairs in the National Guard
