What is a high-risk pregnancy?
A high-risk pregnancy is one that poses life-threatening complications for mother or baby. This may be due to maternal age or pre-existing health conditions. Sometimes, a high-risk pregnancy is due to issues that develop over the course of your baby’s growth in the womb.
North Springs Ob/Gyn is here to support you on your journey, so you don’t have to feel alone if you fall into a high-risk category. The team is ready to provide a highly specialized care plan just for you.
How do I know if my pregnancy is high risk?
Factors that can make a pregnancy “high risk” include:
- A mom that is 35 or older or 17 or younger
- Pregnancy with multiples
- A pre-existing condition in the mother, such as heart disease or lupus
- A history of uterine or abdominal surgeries
- Problems with the baby’s development
- Development of conditions in the mother, such as gestational diabetes or preeclampsia
- A history of high-risk pregnancy or recurrent miscarriages
Women who are overweight or obese are also sometimes at greater risk of complications during their pregnancies. Women who make certain lifestyle choices, such as illicit drug use, alcohol use, or smoking, put themselves at high risk for pregnancy complications.
What does a high-risk pregnancy care plan include?
A high-risk pregnancy plan is individualized to your particular situation. It may include:
- More frequent prenatal checkups
- Additional screenings and tests to check your health and health of your baby
- Diet and activity recommendations
The team recognizes that pregnancy is a natural process, and they don’t recommend medications that are not safe for use during pregnancy, such as narcotics for pain.
The practitioners support you in the development of a birth plan, helping you understand what possible complications could arise. You’ll only be induced into labor if you request it, or if it becomes medically necessary.
During your labor and delivery, the team does everything possible to allow for a natural vaginal birth, unless you desire otherwise or if circumstances with you or the baby’s health require a C-section.
If you’re pregnant or thinking about getting pregnant soon but are worried about your health and the risk of complications, call North Springs Ob/Gyn for high-risk pregnancy care.
