High Risk Pregnancy Q & A
What is a high-risk pregnancy?
A high-risk pregnancy is any pregnancy that could threaten your life or that of your baby. Some reasons for increased pregnancy risk start within the body even before pregnancy, while others develop in the course of the pregnancy.
Whether you have either or both types of pregnancy risk, the Heartfelt Obstetrics And Gynecology team is here to provide the caring attention and personalized care you need from conception to delivery.
What are the most common reasons for a high-risk pregnancy?
The most common reasons for a high-risk pregnancy are:
Preexisting health issues
Examples of preexisting chronic health issues that can classify a pregnancy as high risk include hypertension, diabetes, and being HIV positive.
Weight difficulties
If you struggle with your weight before pregnancy, it may classify your pregnancy as high risk. Significant extra weight can increase the risk of some congenital disabilities, preeclampsia, and stillbirth, among other complications.
Multiples
Multiples, which means you’re carrying twins, triplets, or more babies, raise the risk of preeclampsia, preterm labor, and early delivery. More than 50% of all twins are born early.
Age
Age, particularly advanced maternal age, is a very common reason for a high-risk pregnancy. The high-risk classification occurs at age 35 or older. Pregnancy at 35 and beyond carries an increased risk of preeclampsia and gestational hypertension. These risks also apply to those 17 or younger.
A few of the many other factors that can cause or contribute to a high-risk pregnancy include a history of pregnancy loss, being underweight, smoking, and illicit drug use.
Also, if you develop a condition like hypertension (gestational hypertension) or diabetes (gestational diabetes) during pregnancy, the pregnancy becomes high risk even if it wasn’t previously.
How can I improve my baby's health during a high-risk pregnancy?
The Heartfelt Obstetrics And Gynecology team helps you with every aspect of your high-risk pregnancy. You generally have increasingly frequent appointments as you draw closer to delivery. The team monitors your health and that of your baby very closely so they can help you make any changes immediately before complications can occur.
They also help with good nutrition, exercise, and other important health practices during pregnancy. If you have any questions or concerns, the team is ready to help.
High-risk pregnancy sounds very scary, and it’s only natural to worry about your baby’s health. But, with help from the compassionate team of providers at Heartfelt Obstetrics And Gynecology, you can have a healthy high-risk pregnancy. Call the office or request an appointment online to arrange your visit.