- Life of a woman and fetus has significantly increased risk of disability or death.
- Importance of early detection: Better maternal-fetal/neonatal outcome when the factors contributing to risky pregnancy are identified and intervened.
- Maternal mortality rate is 1 per 1000 live births.
- Generally, these are:
- Abnormal fetal position or presentation.
- Age 35 years, or younger than age 15 years.
- Bleeding during pregnancy.
- Drug or Alcohol dependent.
- Hydramnios.
- Hypertension of pregnancy.
- Infection in mother.
- Maternal illness.
- Past history of difficult delivery.
- Post cesarean birth.
- Potential for blood incompatibility.
- Medical history and current problems include:
- Obstetrical history, current status.
- Psychosocial risks, maternal behaviors, and adverse lifestyle.
- Smoking.
- Caffeine: 3 or more cups of coffee.
- Alcohol: no safe dose.
- Drugs.
- Abuse and violence.
- Psychologic status: intrapsychic disturbance, family dissolution/ disruption, stress.
- Working more than 10 hours, heavy lifting, standing >4 hours.
- Socio-demographic risks are:
- Low income.
- lack of prenatal care.
- Age-height less than 145 cm (4'9").
- Parity >5.
- Marital status.
- Residence.
- Ethnicity.
- Environmental risks are:
- Infection: viral, bacterial, fungal, protozoan.
- Radiation.
- Chemicals.
- Physical: extreme heat >38.9 degrees Celcius noise, vibration, atmospheric pressure.
