Pregnancy is one of the most crucial part of a female’s lifetime. It’s a boon if everything is normal, but it may become troublesome if any sign of a high-risk pregnancy is missed. Bleeding, spotting or nagging pain are commonly known signs which no expectant mother ought to miss, and adequate steps can be taken to prevent any mishaps. 

But many a times, there are certain subtle signs, which when missed, can lead to a high-risk pregnancy. Don’t forget that in case of a high-risk pregnancy, you or your baby might be at risk of having health issues before, during or after delivery. So, special monitoring or care is needed. 

What are the signs of a high-risk pregnancy?

1. Excessive weight gain

There is always weight gain associated with pregnancy. But if weight is increasing by more than a kilogram in 15 days, it’s an early sign of a future problem. Strict blood pressure monitoring, along with regular growth scans of babies, is important for proper management.

2. High blood sugar levels 

For adults, high blood sugar levels won’t cause any symptoms until and unless it’s grossly deranged. But for an unborn baby, even a slight derangement in your blood sugar levels can lead to abnormalities in growing babies. Therefore, it’s always advisable to get a blood test done for HbA1c and glucose tolerance test during pregnancy. Strict blood sugar control is very important for proper growth and development of babies in such patients.

Also, read: Here’s what to do if you’re diagnosed with Fibromyalgia during pregnancy

3. Itching in palms, soles or all over the body 

Several times, this sign is ignored by the majority of women. They usually use home remedies like oil for itching. But it is an important signal of an underlying liver pathology in the mother, which can actually prove life threatening for the growing baby. That’s why blood tests for bile acids and liver function test in such patients to determine the time of delivery are done.

4. Decreased baby movements 

Mostly, it’s difficult for women to keep a count of baby’s movement and they tend to report only when there has been no movement for a day or more. But in fact, it’s more appropriate to keep a check on the number of kicks after every meal. If there are 4 or more kicks in an hour after a meal, it’s a good sign. This also helps in preventing any mishap by early detection and  intervention.

5. Vaginal discharge 

Little amount of vaginal discharge without any smell or itching is common in pregnancy. But in cases, where discharge is excessive with foul smell or itching, it means it needs to be treated immediately. If medicines are not taken at the earliest, it can cause infection to spread in the uterus too.

All these signs and symptoms, when detected at the earliest, can be treated before any irreversible damage or major complications occurs.