Under certain conditions, a pregnancy can quickly become a high-risk pregnancy. The age of the pregnant woman, certain pre-existing conditions, problems in previous pregnancies and also a multiple pregnancy mean a higher risk for the time of pregnancy and also for the birth.
At what point is it a high-risk pregnancy?
The age of the woman giving birth plays a major role in the assessment of pregnancy. Basically, on a medical level, all pregnant women under the age of 18 and over the age of 35 belong to the risk group. Of course, this in no way means that the pregnancy is at risk or that there must be problems. For reasons of mother and child safety alone, mothers who belong to the corresponding age group are given the note of high-risk pregnancy in their maternity passport. These mothers are generally monitored more intensively during pregnancy so that any problems that may arise are detected early. Another factor for a high-risk pregnancy is existing or previous illnesses of the mother. These include, of course, serious organic diseases, cardiovascular diseases such as high blood pressure, hereditary diseases or diabetes. In the case of multiple mothers, the courses of previous pregnancies and births are also important. Miscarriages, cesarean sections and other problems make each subsequent pregnancy a high-risk pregnancy. Those who have more than four children are monitored more intensively, even without any other risk factor, and are given the predicate of high-risk pregnancy. The same is true for multiple pregnancies. If the mother uses alcohol, medications or drugs, these also contribute as a risk factor. Even while still pregnant, circumstances may develop that require special monitoring. These include gestosis (pregnancy poisoning), gestational diabetes, placental insufficiency, or breech presentation of the baby. A rare case is blood group incompatibility of mother and child, which can occur when both mother and child have Rh factors positive and negative. In the second pregnancy, this can be life-threatening for the child, so this diagnosis also results in a high-risk pregnancy.
Criterion age: at what point is it considered high-risk?
- Pregnant under 20
Young women under 20 are generally considered to be at risk of pregnancy. The hormonal balance may not yet have settled properly, and also on a psychological level, pregnancy at this age can be a burden. Particularly intensive emotional and physical care is important here. Possible diseases may not yet be recorded at this age and cannot be taken into account when assessing the pregnancy.
- Pregnant over 35
An age over 35 years is also a possible risk factor. Here, however, it is quite dependent on their own physical and mental condition and any existing diseases, how risky the pregnancy really is. If there are no other problems and the woman feels well, she does not have to be unsettled by the assessment “high-risk pregnancy”.
- Pregnant over 45
At an age over 45 years, the physical condition of the mother is very important. At this age, often already strong changes have occurred in the hormonal balance, which can affect the pregnancy. Often at this age, diseases are already present. It is even more important for these women to really take care of themselves, and to have good care at all levels.
Tips to get through a high-risk pregnancy better
For mom who are considered high-risk pregnant, it’s important to know why they fall into this category. That’s because as different as the determining factors are, so are the ways to deal with them. The degree of risk is not the same for all factors. If age is the only risk factor, and there are no other problems, the mother should relax, and simply intensify contact with her body and the baby. Of course, this also applies to all other risk factors. But, of course, attention should then be focused more on the existing condition or medical circumstances that are the reason for the high-risk pregnancy. However, the basic premise for every expectant mother is to develop an increased awareness of her own needs and sensations.In any situation, the well-being of mother and child are always paramount. This means a change in thinking for many women, because they have often always put their own needs second. Now the following applies: The better the mother takes care of herself, the better this is also for the baby. A prerequisite for this is an authentic approach to oneself and one’s personal environment.
From now on into the gentle posture!
Especially in pregnancies with high risk factors such as illnesses of the mother or serious problems during pregnancy, it is very important for the mother to take good care of herself and the baby. The whole life may have to be rearranged. The pregnant woman must make it her top priority to take care of herself. However, the woman’s own body image plays a special role here, because taking it easy does not necessarily mean not being able to do anything at all. How far the sparing goes will of course depend on the problems present and the instructions of the midwife and doctors. Otherwise, it is important that the woman trains her intuition, and literally makes her gut feeling her best advisor, because the mental state during pregnancy has an enormous effect on the course of this time and also on the process of birth.
