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Overview of High-Risk Pregnancy
- High-Risk Pregnancy
- Overview of High-Risk Pregnancy
- Risk Factors for High-Risk Pregnancy
There is no formal or universally accepted definition of a high-risk pregnancy. Generally, however, a high-risk pregnancy involves at least one of the following:
Maternal mortality
Maternal mortality refers to the death of women when death is caused by complications of pregnancy and childbirth.
In the United States, maternal mortality has been increasing. In 2013, 28 women died for every 100,000 deliveries. Women of color are 3 to 4 times more likely to die than white women. The maternal mortality rate is much higher in the United States than in other Western countries (such as Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom). However, almost all maternal deaths occur in developing countries. More than half occur in sub-Saharan Africa (including Nigeria), and almost one third occur in South Asia (including India).
Comparing Mortality Ratios for Mothers in Different Countries
The most common causes of death in mothers are
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Bleeding (hemorrhage)
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Preeclampsia (a type of high blood pressure that develops during pregnancy)
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Complications of heart or other disorders that women had before they became pregnant (Overview of Disease During Pregnancy)
Nearly half of maternal deaths could be prevented.
Perinatal mortality
Perinatal mortality refers to the death of fetuses and newborns that occur around the time of delivery. In every 1,000 deliveries, almost 7 fetuses and almost 5 newborns die.
The most common causes of death in fetuses and newborns are
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Infections
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Abnormalities in the placenta—one that detaches too soon (placental abruption) or is mislocated (placenta previa)
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Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
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Problems that develop in the mother during pregnancy, such as gestational diabetes or high blood pressure
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Injuries during birth (such as suffocation)
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The presence of more than one fetus in the uterus (multiple births), such as twins or triplets
Risk Assessment During Pregnancy
Certain conditions or characteristics, called risk factors, make a pregnancy high risk. As part of routine care during pregnancy, doctors check for these factors to determine the degree of risk for a particular woman and baby and thus to provide better medical care.
Factors that can affect risk in women include
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Physical characteristics (such as age and weight)
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Social characteristics (such as marital status)
High-risk pregnancies must be closely monitored, and sometimes women are referred to a center that specializes in managing these pregnancies.
The most common reasons for referral before delivery are
Resources In This Article
- High-Risk Pregnancy
- Overview of High-Risk Pregnancy
- Risk Factors for High-Risk Pregnancy
* This is the Consumer Version. *
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