Saqib Rather
Srinagar, Aug 29: Not every pregnancy follows the same path. For some women, an existing health condition or a complication that develops during pregnancy can turn an otherwise routine pregnancy into a requiring closer medical supervision.
Doctors say identifying such risks early can make a critical difference, particularly because conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, anaemia and certain pregnancy complications may initially produce few noticeable symptoms.
The World Health Organization says quality antenatal care provides opportunities to monitor both mother and baby and detect complications before they become emergencies. It recommends beginning antenatal care early and having regular contacts with trained health professionals during pregnancy.
“The biggest mistake is to assume that feeling well means everything is necessarily normal,” said Dr. Tasleema Chasthi, Consultant Gynaecologist. “Regular antenatal examinations allow us to identify problems such as hypertension, anaemia, diabetes or poor fetal growth before they become more serious.”
In India, the Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA) specifically provides for screening and identification of high-risk pregnancies. The programme calls for high-risk women to be identified, appropriately managed and given a birth and complication-readiness plan.
A pregnancy may require closer monitoring because of conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, anaemia, previous pregnancy complications or other medical and obstetric factors. Importantly, being classified as high-risk does not mean that a poor outcome is inevitable. It means the pregnancy may need additional monitoring or specialist care.
“A high-risk label should not frighten a woman,” said Dr. Nushat Khan, Consultant Obstetrician. “It is essentially a signal to the healthcare team that this pregnancy needs closer observation and, where necessary, timely referral.”
Among the conditions doctors watch for is pre-eclampsia, a pregnancy-related high blood-pressure disorder that can become life-threatening if it is not recognised and managed. WHO says pre-eclampsia can affect the mother and baby and may lead to complications including seizures, organ damage, preterm birth and restricted fetal growth.
The warning signs can sometimes be missed. Severe or persistent headaches, changes in vision, abdominal pain, bleeding and sudden swelling are among symptoms that require medical attention. WHO advises pregnant women to know the danger signs and seek care promptly.
“Women should not wait for severe symptoms before contacting a health facility,” said Dr. Raheem Sheikh, Senior Obstetrician. “A blood-pressure check, urine examination and other routine assessments can sometimes identify a problem when the woman herself feels completely normal.
For families living in remote areas, early identification can be particularly important because knowing in advance that a pregnancy requires specialist care allows time to plan transport, choose an appropriate delivery facility and prepare for possible complications.
A mother from Kulgam, Kashmir, who experienced a high-risk pregnancy, recalled the anxiety of being referred to a larger hospital. “Initially I was frightened when the doctor told me that I needed closer monitoring. Later I understood that the referral was meant to keep both me and the baby safe.”
Health experts say antenatal care should not be viewed simply as a series of routine appointments. Each visit provides an opportunity to assess the mother’s health, monitor the baby’s development, review test results and identify new risk factors.
WHO’s recent maternal-health guidance also highlights the importance of early and consistent antenatal care, noting that complications such as haemorrhage and hypertensive disorders remain major causes of maternal deaths globally.
“Early detection gives doctors more choices,” said Dr. Nahida Ali, Maternal Health Specialist. “When a problem is identified early, there is usually more time to investigate it, manage it and arrange appropriate care rather than responding only when an emergency develops.”
For pregnant women, doctors say the message is simple, start antenatal care early, attend recommended check-ups, complete advised tests and do not ignore unusual symptoms.
A high-risk pregnancy is not necessarily a dangerous pregnancy. But an unidentified risk can become dangerous when there is no time left to respond.
