High-Risk Pregnancy Q & A

What is a high-risk pregnancy?

If you have a high-risk pregnancy, that doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll encounter more problems and challenges than a normal, low-risk pregnancy. However, it does mean that you or your baby are more susceptible to complications before, during, and after childbirth.

High-risk pregnancies require specialized care. The skilled and compassionate obstetric team at Coeur OBGYN has extensive experience caring for women with high-risk pregnancies.

What conditions contribute to a high-risk pregnancy?

In some cases, a pregnancy is considered high-risk due to factors that were present before you got pregnant, such as a pre-existing health condition. Other times, a pregnancy becomes high-risk when you or your baby develop a condition, such as an abnormal placenta position.

Factors that lead to a high-risk pregnancy include:

• Maternal age over 35
• Being overweight or obese
• Medical history of hypertension or diabetes
• Pregnancy with twins or higher-order multiples
• Lifestyle factors such as consuming alcohol and smoking

Having previous surgeries on your uterus, including multiple Cesarean sections or surgery to remove uterine fibroids, also increases your risk.

What are complications of pregnancy?

Pregnancy complications can affect the health of the mother, the developing baby, or both. Common complications of pregnancy include:

• Gestational diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Preeclampsia
• Preterm labor
• Miscarriage
• Stillbirth

Your provider at Coeur OBGYN closely monitors your health and the condition of your baby throughout pregnancy to prevent these complications whenever possible.

What should I do if I have a high-risk pregnancy?

The first step you should take to help reduce the risk of health problems for you and your baby is to get early and regular prenatal care at Coeur OBGYN. If you haven’t conceived yet and think you may have risk factors, you should consider scheduling a preconception counseling appointment.

Seeing your doctor at Coeur OBGYN early in pregnancy or before you get pregnant helps you identify and reduce potential risk factors. Your doctor may want to see you for more frequent prenatal visits than that of a normal pregnancy.

Depending on your needs, they may also take additional tests, including:

• Specialized ultrasound imaging tests
• Genetic tests
• Blood tests

They also advise you on steps you can take at home to improve your chances of a healthy pregnancy, such as eating a healthy diet and avoiding harmful substances. After your baby is born, Coeur OBGYN’s certified lactation consultant, Kelly Sorenson, helps you navigate any challenges and difficulties with breastfeeding.

To learn more about staying healthy throughout a high-risk pregnancy, call Coeur OBGYN or book an appointment online today.