Risk factors in pregnancy

Pregnancy is a time when a woman carries a baby in her womb until it is ready to be born. During this time, there are some things that can make the pregnancy more difficult or risky for both the mother and baby. These are called risk factors.

One of the most important risk factors is the mother's age. If she is very young or very old, there is a higher risk of complications during pregnancy and birth. Other risk factors include smoking, drinking alcohol, using drugs, and having certain health conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure.

Pregnancy can also be risky if the mother has had problems with previous pregnancies, such as Pre-eclampsia, Gestational diabetes, Preterm labor, and Multiple pregnancies (like twins or triplets). In addition, certain infections like sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or Zika virus can affect the baby during pregnancy.

It is important for expectant mothers to talk to their doctors about any risk factors they may have and follow their doctor's recommendations to stay healthy during pregnancy. This may include taking special medications, eating more nutritious foods, and getting regular medical checkups.