High-Risk Obstetrics

Obstetrics is concerned with managing pregnancy, labour and the puerperium (the time after delivery). A 

high risk pregnancy

 is one that threatens the health or life of the mother or her fetus. It often requires specialized care from specially trained providers. Some pregnancies become high risk as they progress, while some women are at increased risk for complications even before they get pregnant for a variety of reasons. These could include: young or old maternal age; being overweight or underweight; problems in previous pregnancies; and pre-existing health conditions, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or HIV. Health problems can also develop during a pregnancy to make it high-risk. They include: multiple births,

Preeclampsia

(toxemia) is a syndrome that includes high blood pressure, urinary protein and changes in blood levels of liver enzymes during pregnancy. If left untreated, the condition can lead to long-term health problems or it can be fatal for mother and/or baby. Eclampsia is a severe form of preeclampsia that can cause seizures and coma in the mother.

Gestational Diabetes

mellitus is a type of diabetes that affects only pregnant women. Treatment plans help mothers have healthy pregnancies and healthy babies. Preterm labour begins before 37 weeks of pregnancy. The baby is not fully grown at this time, so it may not be able to survive outside the womb. Steps will be taken to try to stop labour if it occurs before this time. Regular

prenatal care

can help ensure a healthier pregnancy.