Pregnancy is a natural process, but it can sometimes be complicated. A high-risk pregnancy means that either the mother or the baby has a higher chance of developing health complications.
Some pregnancies may be high-risk from the start, while others may develop complications later on. It’s important to be aware of the risk factors so you can prepare and take the necessary steps to ensure a healthy pregnancy.
Let’s talk about high-risk pregnancies and the risk factors and care options for high-risk pregnancies.
What is a High-Risk Pregnancy?
A “high-risk” pregnancy is one in which the mother, the baby, or both are at increased risk of health problems during pregnancy, at birth, or after delivery.
Risk Factors for a High-Risk Pregnancy
Several factors can contribute to a pregnancy being classified as high-risk:
Maternal Age
Women who are younger than 17 or older than 35 when they become pregnant are often considered high-risk because they are more likely to encounter complications like premature birth or genetic disorders.
Pre-existing Health Conditions
Existing health conditions can increase the risk during pregnancy. These include:
- Autoimmune Diseases: Autoimmune diseases like lupus or multiple sclerosis (MS) can impact pregnancy as the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells. This can lead to an increased risk of preterm birth, preeclampsia, and growth problems in the fetus.
- COVID-19: Pregnant individuals with COVID-19 are at an increased risk of severe illness and might also be at an increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes, like preterm birth, according to the CDC.
- Diabetes: Pre-existing diabetes can lead to higher risks of miscarriage, birth defects, oversized babies, and high blood pressure during pregnancy.
- Fibroids: These noncancerous growths in the uterus can lead to complications such as placental abruption, preterm delivery, and abnormal fetal position.
- High Blood Pressure: Chronic hypertension can increase the risk of preeclampsia, premature delivery, and low birth weight.
- Kidney Disease: Kidney disease can lead to complications, including preeclampsia, preterm birth, and low birth weight.
- Low Body Weight: A BMI of less than 18.5 can lead to risks such as preterm birth and low birth weight.
- Mental Health Disorders: Conditions such as depression can affect both the pregnant person and the fetus, potentially leading to poor nutrition, drinking, smoking, and suicidal behavior.
- Obesity: Obesity can increase the risk of several pregnancy complications, including gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and cesarean delivery.
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): PCOS can increase the risk of infertility, miscarriage, gestational diabetes, and preeclampsia.
- Thyroid Disease: Uncontrolled hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism can lead to high blood pressure, preterm birth, low birth weight, or stillbirth.
- Blood Clotting Disorders: These can increase the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, and placental abruption.
Pregnancy-Related Health Conditions
Some pregnancy-related health conditions can also increase the chances of high-risk pregnancy.
- Birth Defects or Genetic Conditions in the Fetus: These can cause long-term disability or life-threatening situations for the baby.
- Poor Growth in the Fetus: This can result in low birth weight and developmental issues.
- Gestational Diabetes: This form of diabetes, which develops during pregnancy, can lead to oversized babies, preterm birth, and type 2 diabetes in the mother later in life.
- Multiple Gestation: Pregnancies with more than one fetus increase the risk of preterm labor, preeclampsia, and gestational diabetes.
- Preeclampsia and Eclampsia: These conditions, characterized by high blood pressure during pregnancy, can lead to serious complications like organ damage and eclampsia, which includes seizures.
- Previous Preterm Labor or Birth, or Other Complications with Previous Pregnancies: These can increase the risk of recurrent preterm birth or other complications.
Lifestyle Factors
Smoking, alcohol consumption, and illicit drug use can put a pregnancy at risk. Poor nutrition and obesity can also contribute to a high-risk pregnancy.
Care for High-Risk Pregnancy
High-risk pregnancies require extra care and monitoring to ensure the health and well-being of both mother and baby. Here’s what you can expect:
More Frequent Prenatal Visits
You will likely have more frequent appointments with your OB/GYN doctor to closely monitor your pregnancy and promptly address any issues that arise.
Specialized Tests
In addition to routine prenatal tests, you may undergo specialized diagnostic tests to provide further information about your baby’s health. These could include targeted ultrasounds, amniocentesis (a test to check genetic or chromosomal conditions), chorionic villus sampling, or cordocentesis (a test that takes a sample of blood from a fetus’s umbilical cord to detect abnormalities).
Consultations with Specialists
Depending on the nature of your risk factors, you may need to see a perinatologist (an obstetrician specializing in high-risk pregnancies), a neonatologist (a pediatrician specializing in the care of newborns), or other medical specialists.
Lifestyle Modifications
You may need to make lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, avoiding alcohol, maintaining a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and ensuring adequate rest.
Upstate Ob/Gyn Doctors in Syracuse, New York
Are you facing a high-risk pregnancy? You’re not alone. At University OB/GYN Associates in Syracuse, New York, we’re here to guide you through this journey with the utmost care and expertise. Our team of specialized physicians and advanced practice providers ensure that your care is comprehensive, attentive, and tailored to your unique needs.
To learn more about us or to set up your consultation with our OB/GYN doctors, contact us today at (315) 464-5162 or use our online appointment request form. We look forward to serving you!
