High Risk Pregnancy

What is a high-risk pregnancy?

Any pregnancy with a higher-than-normal risk of problems is considered high risk and requires special attention. The board-certified obstetricians at Georgia Obstetrics and Gynecology have years of experience caring for all types of pregnancies and offer effective support in a warm and comfortable environment.

What makes a pregnancy high-risk?

A pregnancy may be high risk due to factors impacting the fetus, the mother, or arising externally. Maternal factors include:

• Chronic high blood pressure
• Pre-existing diabetes
• Organ transplants, such as kidney or liver transplants
• Medical history of blood clots
• Heart disease, acquired or congenital
• Rheumatologic diseases like lupus
• Psychiatric disease
• Cancer during pregnancy
• Infectious diseases like viral hepatitis or HIV

Risk factors impacting the fetus may include:

• Inherited diseases like cystic fibrosis
• Chromosome problems like Down syndrome
• Birth disabilities like congenital heart defects
• Fetal anemia
• Fetal growth restriction

If you are over 35, you may also be considered to have a high-risk pregnancy and require additional monitoring.

Even if you and the fetus are healthy, other factors may make it wise for your medical team to be extra cautious. For example, if you have had two or more miscarriages, your likelihood of an unexpected pregnancy loss increases. With education and proper support, your provider aims to ensure your healthiest and most positive pregnancy experience.

How are high-risk pregnancies approached?

Your provider personalizes your high-risk pregnancy care plan to your unique situation. Once the Georgia Obstetrics and Gynecology team has the information they need to establish a treatment plan, they may recommend:

• More ultrasounds and meticulous fetal evaluation
• Closer obstetrician monitoring
• Consultation with medical specialists, such as a maternal-fetal medicine specialist
• Home blood pressure monitoring
• Careful medication management if you have pre-existing conditions

If you have concerning symptoms that indicate your pregnancy is in danger, your provider may recommend an earlier delivery via cesarean section or labor induction.

How can I reduce my chances of a high-risk pregnancy?

Some factors of high-risk pregnancy are unavoidable, but making health-focused lifestyle decisions and seeking vital information through avenues like genetic screening can improve your odds of a healthy pregnancy and delivery.

You may benefit from:

• Avoiding alcohol, smoking, and nonprescription medications
• Identifying potential health risks before conception and managing pre-existing conditions
• Maintaining a healthy body weight
• Practicing safe sex to reduce the risk of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)

To learn more about the support available for high-risk pregnancies, call Georgia Obstetrics and Gynecology or request an appointment online today.