Logically speaking, mostly all pregnancies and deliveries are potentially at risk but there are certain categories where there is increased the risk of mortality and complications related to mother, foetus, and neonate.

These pregnancies are increasing in developing countries due to improper nutrition and less awareness about female related reproductive problems and poor health care services. Pregnancy-related problems can arise in following cases:

Maternal age

Pregnancy below the age of 20 or above 35 years is considered to be at risk. Pregnancies before the age of 20 can be fatal as a woman is not able to cope with the stress related to pregnancy. Keeping this in view, Dr Bimla Bansal discourages women to conceive before the age of 20.

After the age of 30, a woman undergoes several changes and de-conditioning of the body so there is a high morbidity related to it. High blood loss, stillbirth and foetal malposition is common in such pregnancies. 20-29 is considered to be the most suitable age for conceiving, however, some amount of risk is always there.

Anaemia

If the pregnant female is suffering from anaemia, the mother and the foetus are in a state of jeopardy. There are chances of morbidities like the low birth weight of baby and mortality rate of mother and foetus is high in such cases.

It is important to get your iron levels checked if you are planning to have a baby. Your gynaecologist will prescribe adequate iron supplementation if required.

Multiple Births

There is an increased risk of complications in women carrying more than one baby. Most of such babies are born preterm or premature. These babies may need to be kept under observation and many times kept under life support.

Dr Bimla Bansal, who has efficiently handled hundreds of such cases in her medical career, finds these to be the most complicated of pregnancies, even though normal in today’s age.

Thyroid disorders

Mother with thyroid disorder is at high risk of having complications during and after pregnancy. Metabolism is highly disturbed and it becomes difficult for the female to adapt to changes during pregnancy. Neonate is also born with cretinism, stunted growth and mental abnormalities.

It is thus important to keep in touch with your gynaecologist and schedule regular check-ups to make sure everything is going the way it should.