High Risk Pregnancy

Question 1

Definition

Answer 1

a pregnancy in which there is increased likelihood of adverse outcome to the mother, fetus, or newborn, before, during or after delivery, compared to the general population of pregnant women.

Question 2

Factors leading to the increased risk

Answer 2

maternal health status
obstetric abnormalities
fetal conditions.

Question 3

Aims of care for these ‘low-risk’ women

Answer 3

To provide advice, reassurance, education and support for the woman and her family.
• To deal with the minor ailments of pregnancy.
• To provide an on-going screening programme (clinical and laboratory-based) to
confirm that the woman continues to be low risk.

Question 4

Aims for high risk pregnancies

Answer 4

three aims of pregnancy care still apply but, in addition, there is a fourth aim:
• The prevention, detection and management of those problems and factors which adversely affect the health of mother and/or baby.

Question 5

How to Identify a High Risk Pregnancy

Answer 5

• General risk scoring
• Specific risk recognition

Question 6

Main Aim of General Risk Scoring

Answer 6

To permit the classification of women into different categories for which different and appropriate management strategies can be implemented.

Question 7

Other Aims of General Risk Scoring

Answer 7

Aids teaching and audit, defining populations for epidemiological purposes and for allocation of resources.

Question 8

WHO Classification Form - A General Scoring System