Suite 110, 1st Floor, Melomed Mitchells Plain Hospital

021 110 5064 076 305 2805 dr@drmakanda.co.za

High-Risk Pregnancies

Being told your pregnancy is "high-risk" can be unsettling. In most cases, the label simply means that you and your baby will be watched more closely. Dr Malonda Makanda provides extra monitoring for pregnancies where an existing health condition or a complication along the way calls for more attention, so that changes are spotted early, and plans can adapt.

Smiling doctor checking a pregnant patient’s baby with a foetal heart monitor

What Makes A Pregnancy High-Risk?

A pregnancy may be high-risk because of factors present before conception or problems that develop later. Common reasons include:

  • High blood pressure, either before pregnancy or developing during it
  • Diabetes, including diabetes that first appears in pregnancy
  • Carrying twins or more
  • A previous preterm birth or pregnancy loss
  • Being 35 or older at the time of delivery
  • Long-term conditions such as thyroid disease or HIV

Having one of these does not mean something will go wrong. It means your care is planned with it in mind.

What Is Preeclampsia, And How Is It Monitored?

Preeclampsia is a condition that may appear after 20 weeks. It is marked by high blood pressure along with signs that organs such as the kidneys or liver are under strain. It can reduce blood flow to the placenta and slow your baby's growth. Early preeclampsia often causes no symptoms, so the blood pressure and urine checks at every visit matter.

Warning signs include a severe headache, flashing lights or blurred vision, pain under the ribs on the right side and sudden swelling of the face or hands. If you notice any of these, seek care the same day.

How Is Gestational Diabetes Managed?

Gestational diabetes develops when pregnancy hormones make it harder for your body to control blood sugar. It rarely causes noticeable symptoms, which is why screening between 24 and 28 weeks is routine.

Many women manage it through diet changes and blood sugar checks at home, with treatment added if needed. Your baby's growth is tracked with extra scans, because high blood sugar can lead to a larger baby.

What Does Closer Monitoring Involve?

Depending on your situation, Dr Makanda may recommend more frequent visits along with additional growth scans, some of which use Doppler ultrasound to measure blood flow through the umbilical cord. Input from other specialists, such as a physician, may form part of the plan.

The timing and method of delivery are discussed early, since some high-risk pregnancies are safest with a planned birth before the due date. You can read more about vaginal and caesarean births. If you have a condition that may affect a future pregnancy, a preconception visit is worthwhile. To discuss your pregnancy, book a consultation.

Obstetric and gynaecological care at Melomed Mitchells Plain in Cape Town, from planning a pregnancy to managing the concerns that come later in life.

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