Which client would the nurse identify as being at the greatest risk for a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy?

Prematurity

Worldwide, preeclampsia is responsible for up to 20% of the 13 million preterm births each year.

A baby is considered premature if he or she is born before 37 weeks, but more severe issues occur when a baby is born earlier than 32 weeks. Babies born later than 32 weeks in developing countries may have more severe problems than babies born in high resource countries since those countries often lack the resources that preemies need.

The effects of being born early can vary widely. Some babies may spend only a day or two under close observations while others may spend the first months of their life in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Some babies may also have lifelong problems such as learning disorders, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, blindness, and deafness.

Having a premature baby can also mean a great deal of emotional and financial stress for a family.

Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR)

Preeclampsia can cause reduced blood flow to the mother's placenta, restricting the supply of food to her baby. As a result, the baby may become malnourished and be small for its gestational age. Ultrasounds can help identify IUGR.

Many babies who suffer from IUGR can catch up on their growth within a few months, although recent research suggests that growth restricted infants are more prone to adult diseases including diabetes, congestive heart failure and hypertension.

Of the 30 million IUGR infants born worldwide each year, 15% (4.5 million) are associated with preeclampsia.

Mother’s shouldn’t blame themselves or poor nutrition for IUGR, because it is caused by a failing placenta and not the mother’s diet. You could be eating all of the right things, but if the placenta is not capable of passing nutrients along, your baby’s growth will suffer.

Acidosis
The baby survives in the womb by receiving nutrients and oxygen through the placenta. Preeclampsia compromises the placenta and the baby’s body begins to restrict blood flow to its limbs, kidney and stomach in an effort to preserve the vital supply to the brain and heart. Should the baby’s oxygen reserve become depleted, (as the placenta detaches or dies) the baby’s body may produce too much lactic acid. If too much lactic acid builds up, the baby will develop “acidosis” and become unconscious and stop moving. Delivery is essential at this point, even if the baby is premature.

Death

Infant death is one of the most devastating consequences of preeclampsia. In the U.S., approximately 10,500 babies die from preeclampsia each year and an estimated half a million worldwide. Many countries do not have the means to keep a premature baby alive, so the rate of neonatal death in these countries is therefore much higher.

Stillbirths from preeclampsia (babies that die in utero after 20 weeks of gestation) number between 1,000 and 2,200 in the U.S. Stillbirths are much more likely to occur with severe preeclampsia, HELLP syndrome or preeclampsia superimposed on chronic hypertension.

Preeclampsia can appear and progress very quickly. Please err on the side of caution and contact your doctor or midwife immediately if you experience warning signs of preeclampsia.

An integrated system of maternal and newborn care can reduce some of these deaths. This includes diagnosing preeclampsia early, monitoring the baby’s condition, using magnesium sulfate to prevent maternal seizures and possibly confer neurological protection on the baby, administering steroids for the baby's lung development, safely managing early delivery when needed, and providing specialized care for pre-term newborns. However, we ultimately need more research. We need to find a cure.

Ongoing life challenges
Preeclampsia has been linked to a host of lifelong challenges for infants born prematurely, among them learning disorders, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, blindness and deafness. With prematurity also comes the risk of extended hospitalization, small gestational size and the interruption of valuable bonding time for families. Prematurity stresses a family unit, and this stress is compounded when the mother is also ill.

An integrated system of maternal and newborn care can reduce some of these deaths. This includes diagnosing preeclampsia early, monitors the baby’s condition, using magnesium sulfate to prevent maternal seizures and possibly confer neurological protection on the baby, safely managing early delivery when needed, and providing needed care for pre-term newborns. However, we ultimately need more research. We need to find a cure.

If you have a high-risk pregnancy, you might have questions. Will you need special prenatal care? Will your baby be OK? Get the facts about promoting a healthy pregnancy.

By Mayo Clinic Staff

If you have a high-risk pregnancy, you or your baby might be at increased risk of health problems before, during or after delivery. Typically, special monitoring or care throughout pregnancy is needed. Understand the risk factors for a high-risk pregnancy, and what you can do to take care of yourself and your baby.

What are the risk factors for a high-risk pregnancy?

Sometimes a high-risk pregnancy is the result of a medical condition present before pregnancy. In other cases, a medical condition that develops during pregnancy for either you or your baby causes a pregnancy to become high risk.

Specific factors that might contribute to a high-risk pregnancy include:

  • Advanced maternal age. Pregnancy risks are higher for mothers older than age 35.
  • Lifestyle choices. Smoking cigarettes, drinking alcohol and using illegal drugs can put a pregnancy at risk.
  • Maternal health problems. High blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, epilepsy, thyroid disease, heart or blood disorders, poorly controlled asthma, and infections can increase pregnancy risks.
  • Pregnancy complications. Various complications that develop during pregnancy can pose risks. Examples include an unusual placenta position, fetal growth less than the 10th percentile for gestational age (fetal growth restriction) and rhesus (Rh) sensitization — a potentially serious condition that can occur when your blood group is Rh negative and your baby's blood group is Rh positive.
  • Multiple pregnancy. Pregnancy risks are higher for women carrying more than one fetus.
  • Pregnancy history. A history of pregnancy-related hypertension disorders, such as preeclampsia, increases the risk of having this diagnosis during the next pregnancy. If you gave birth prematurely in your last pregnancy or you've had multiple premature births, you're at increased risk of an early delivery in your next pregnancy. Talk to your health care provider about your complete obstetric history.

What steps can I take to promote a healthy pregnancy?

Whether you know ahead of time that you'll have a high-risk pregnancy or you simply want to do whatever you can to prevent a high-risk pregnancy, stick to the basics. For example:

  • Schedule a preconception appointment. If you're thinking about becoming pregnant, consult your health care provider. Your provider might counsel you to start taking a daily prenatal vitamin with folic acid and reach a healthy weight before you become pregnant. If you have a medical condition, your treatment might be adjusted in preparation for pregnancy. Your health care provider might also discuss your risk of having a baby with a genetic condition.
  • Seek regular prenatal care. Prenatal visits can help your health care provider monitor your health and your baby's health. You might be referred to a specialist in maternal-fetal medicine, genetics, pediatrics or other areas.
  • Avoid risky substances. If you smoke, quit. Alcohol and illegal drugs are off-limits, too. Talk to your health care provider about any medications or supplements you're taking.

Do I need special tests?

Depending on the circumstances, your health care provider might recommend:

  • Specialized or targeted ultrasound. This type of fetal ultrasound — an imaging technique that uses high-frequency sound waves to produce images of a baby in the uterus — targets a suspected problem, such as development that's not typical.
  • Prenatal cell-free DNA (cfDNA) screening. During this procedure, DNA from the mother and fetus is extracted from a maternal blood sample and the fetal DNA is screened for the increased chance of specific chromosome problems.
  • Invasive genetic screening. Your health care provider might recommend amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling (CVS). During amniocentesis, a sample of the fluid that surrounds and protects a baby during pregnancy (amniotic fluid) is withdrawn from the uterus. Typically done after week 15 of pregnancy, amniocentesis can identify certain genetic conditions as well as serious problems of the brain or spinal cord (neural tube defects).

    During CVS, a sample of cells is removed from the placenta. Typically done between weeks 10 and 12 of pregnancy, CVS can identify certain genetic conditions.

  • Ultrasound for cervical length. Your health care provider might use an ultrasound to measure the length of your cervix at prenatal appointments to determine if you're at risk of preterm labor.
  • Lab tests. Your health care provider will test your urine for urinary tract infections and screen you for infectious diseases such as HIV and syphilis.
  • Biophysical profile. This prenatal ultrasound is used to check on a baby's well-being. It might involve only an ultrasound to evaluate fetal well-being or, depending on the results of the ultrasound, also fetal heart rate monitoring (nonstress test).

Some prenatal diagnostic tests — such as amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling — carry a small risk of pregnancy loss. The decision to pursue these tests is up to you and your partner. Discuss the risks and benefits with your health care provider.

What else do I need to know about high-risk pregnancy?

Talk to your health care provider about how to manage any medical conditions you have during pregnancy and how your health might affect labor and delivery. Contact your health care provider if you have:

  • Vaginal bleeding or watery vaginal discharge
  • Severe headaches
  • Pain or cramping in the lower abdomen
  • Decreased fetal activity
  • Pain or burning with urination
  • Changes in vision, including blurred vision
  • Sudden or severe swelling in the face, hands or fingers
  • Fever or chills
  • Vomiting or persistent nausea
  • Dizziness
  • Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby

A high-risk pregnancy might have ups and downs. Do your best to stay positive as you take steps to promote a healthy pregnancy.

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Jan. 18, 2022

  1. Robinson JN, et al. Preterm birth: Risk factors, interventions for risk reduction, and maternal prognosis. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Nov. 29, 2021.
  2. Lockwood CJ, et al. Prenatal care: Initial assessment. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Nov. 29, 2021.
  3. FAQs: Pregnancy FAQ164: Prenatal genetic diagnostic tests. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. https://www.acog.org/Patients/FAQs/Prenatal-Genetic-Diagnostic-Tests. Accessed Nov. 29, 2021.
  4. FAQs: Pregnancy FAQ098: Special tests for monitoring fetal well-being. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. https://www.acog.org/Patients/FAQs/Special-Tests-for-Monitoring-Fetal-Well-Being. Accessed Oct. 10, 2019.
  5. DeCherney AH, et al., eds. Assessment of at-risk pregnancy. In: Current Diagnosis & Treatment: Obstetrics & Gynecology. 12th ed. McGraw-Hill Education; 2019. https://accessmedicine.mhmedical.com. Accessed Oct. 10, 2019.
  6. Prenatal care and tests. Office on Women's Health. https://www.womenshealth.gov/pregnancy/youre-pregnant-now-what/prenatal-care-and-tests. Accessed Nov. 29, 2021.
  7. Prager S, et al. Pregnancy loss (miscarriage): Clinical presentations, diagnosis, and initial evaluation. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Nov. 29, 2021.
  8. FAQs: Pregnancy FAQ188: Multiple pregnancy. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. https://www.acog.org/Patients/FAQs/Multiple-Pregnancy. Accessed Nov. 29, 2021.
  9. FAQs: Pregnancy FAQ165: Prenatal genetic screening tests. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. https://www.acog.org/Patients/FAQs/Prenatal-Genetic-Screening-Tests. Accessed Nov. 29, 2021.
  10. Preconception health. Office on Women's Health. https://www.womenshealth.gov/pregnancy/you-get-pregnant/preconception-health. Accessed Oct. 10, 2019.
  11. Pregnancy complications. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/maternalinfanthealth/pregnancy-complications.html. Accessed Nov. 29, 2021.

See more In-depth

See also

  1. Antidepressants and pregnancy
  2. Pregnancy bed rest
  3. Blighted ovum: What causes it?
  4. Cervical length
  5. Chickenpox and pregnancy
  6. Depression during pregnancy
  7. Diastasis recti
  8. Miscarriage and stress
  9. Epilepsy and pregnancy
  10. Heart conditions and pregnancy
  11. Hemorrhoids during pregnancy
  12. High blood pressure and pregnancy
  13. How do ankylosing spondylitis and pregnancy affect each other?
  14. Low amniotic fluid
  15. New Test for Preeclampsia
  16. Pregnancy and atrial fibrillation
  17. Pregnancy and obesity
  18. Pregnancy and COVID-19
  19. Rheumatoid arthritis: Does pregnancy affect symptoms?
  20. Vulvar varicosities during pregnancy: What can you do?
  21. Yeast infection during pregnancy

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Which pregnant client would be at increased risk of placenta previa?

Women who are over the age of 35 years old are at an increased risk of developing placenta previa. Multiple gestations. The uterus which has accommodated more than one fetus has an increased risk for placenta previa.

What is a possible maternal risk of preeclampsia?

Risks During Pregnancy Both preeclampsia and eclampsia can cause serious health problems for the mother and infant. Women with preeclampsia are at increased risk for damage to the kidneys, liver, brain, and other organ and blood systems. Preeclampsia may also affect the placenta.

Which client is at increased risk for postpartum hemorrhage?

Who is at a higher risk for postpartum hemorrhage? Those with placental problems like placenta accreta, placenta previa, placental abruption and retained placenta are at the highest risk of PPH. An overdistended uterus also increases the risk for PPH.

Is age a risk factor for preeclampsia?

Women with overweight or obesity are also more likely to have preeclampsia in more than one pregnancy. Age. Women older than 40 are at higher risk.