Dr Olabamiji Adeola, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist with Federal University Teaching Hospital (FUTH) Lafia has called for extra care for high-risk pregnancy to avoid complications and ensure self-delivery.
The Consultant who made the call on Thursday in Lafia, said high-risk pregnancy refers to a pregnancy a situation where the mother, baby, or both have an increased chance of health problems before, during, or after delivery.
Adeola explained that a high-risk pregnancy does not mean that something would go wrong, but urges close monitoring to ensure healthy outcomes.
He further outlined some factors that would be responsible for High-risk pregnancy to include; Maternal age, under 17 or over 35, pre-existing health conditions, pregnancy-related conditions, multiple pregnancy, previous pregnancy complications and lifestyle among others.
“Such pregnancies may result from several factors including first-time pregnancy, existing or pregnancy-induced health conditions like hypertension, diabetes, autoimmune disorders, as well as multiple gestations.
“Despite being termed high-risk, successful outcomes could be achievable with proper preconception counselling, regular antenatal care, healthy lifestyle choices, continuous monitoring, appropriate medical management, and prompt intervention when necessary,” he added.
Adeola advised that expectant mothers with such conditions should usually see an obstetrician more often, get extra scans, blood tests, and sometimes be referred to a maternal-fetal medicine specialist. (NAN).
