More and more pregnancies are classified as “high-risk pregnancies”. But what does the note in the passport actually mean for expectant mothers?
Risk pregnancy – That sounds scary . But that does not have to be the term. With the help of a questionnaire, gynecologists only check what needs to be taken care of with pregnant women . If the doctor classifies the pregnancy as a high-risk pregnancy, the expectant mother will be monitored and examined very closely .
How is a risk pregnancy determined?
As part of the regular preventive medical check-ups, the doctor records your general state of health based on two questionnaires and talks to you about complications during the current pregnancy as well as previous ones.
Indicators of a risk pregnancy include:
- bleeding
- high blood pressure
- overweight
- chronic diseases (eg diabetes, asthma, epilepsy, heart disease, thyroid disease, skeletal anomalies)
- Age under 18 and over 35 years
- Multiple pregnancies
- Multivariate with more than 4 children
- Rhesus incompatibility
- previous miscarriages, premature birth or miscarriage
- former cesarean sections
- previous abortions
- premature labor
- vein problems
- mental stress
- Persistent drug, alcohol, nicotine or other drug use in pregnancy
- placental insufficiency
- chronic or recurrent cystitis
- gestational diabetes
- Hereditary diseases within the family
If two of these circumstances apply to a pregnant woman, the expectant mother is already classified as having a high risk of pregnancy. But if there is a real danger is not clear.
What does it mean if you have a high-risk pregnancy?
Do not panic , even if you have the phrase “high risk pregnancy” in your maternal passport, this only means that your doctor performs the check-ups very carefully . For this you will have an appointment with your gynecologist every four weeks at the beginning of the pregnancy. From the 28th week the distance shortens to every two weeks. If necessary, additional ultrasound and tests are performed.
So that the birth is as free of complications as possible, the maternity hospital should be well informed about the progress of your pregnancy. Thus, in advance, special precautions for the medical care for you and your baby can be taken during and after the birth, if they are necessary.
Who pays the additional examinations during a risk pregnancy?
Do not worry! In the case of a risk pregnancy, the health insurances naturally pay the costs for the further examinations.
Risk pregnancy at age 35: why?
Are you pregnant and 35 years or older, you are automatically classified by your gynecologist as risk pregnant . That depends zusammnen especially with the fact that, statistically speaking, the risk during pregnancy on one, preeclampsia – a so-called eclampsia – falling ill, is somewhat higher than in younger women.
At the same time, the older the mother is, the higher the risk of chromosomal abnormalities in babies. The most common deviation is Down syndrome (or trisomy 21). While the risk of giving birth to a child with a chromosomal disorder is 1 in 1500 for a 20-year-old, it increases to 1 in 35 in a 35-year-old pregnant woman.
Many gene defects can now be detected with the help of prenatal diagnosis . If necessary, your gynecologist can advise you in detail.
Risky and now?
Very important: do not panic! Always keep in mind that 97 percent of all children are born healthy. And do not forget:
- You alone decide how many examinations you want to carry outand with whom. So you can divide the checkups on your doctor and the midwife – some doctors do not like that, but it is your right. So do not be fooled, if you like to handle the investigations like this.
- Remember again and again: A pregnancy is something natural and your body is made for it. So trust in your gut feeling.
Can the classification as a risk pregnancy also be withdrawn?
Yes. An initially classified as high-risk pregnant women may well back on the course of pregnancy demoted be. For example, if the bleeding tendency subsides or the blood pressure returns to normal.