What is considered a high-risk pregnancy?
A high-risk pregnancy is a pregnancy with medical, surgical, or other issues that could put the fetus, the pregnancy and/or the mother at risk. It includes:
- A woman who is more likely than usual to become sick or die
- A fetus or baby that is more likely than usual to become sick or die
- Medical, surgical, or other complications during pregnancy, before or after delivery which has a higher risk to occur than usual.
- Older women (usually 35+ years)
- Women with prior complications
- Women becoming pregnant with reproductive technology (eg IVF)
Many women with high-risk pregnancies can continue and see their regular Ob-Gyns, others may need to get care from a special team of doctors such as Maternal-Fetal Medicine Ob-Gyns (high-risk obstetricians) to ensure that their pregnancies are healthy and that they have a healthy pregnancy outcome.
Top high-risk pregnancy complications
- Miscarriage/Pregnancy Loss
- Ectopic Pregnancy
- High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
- Gestational Diabetes
- Preeclampsia
- Premature/Preterm Labor
- Hyperemesis Gravidarum/Severe Nausea and Vomiting
- Anemia
- Infections and Sexually Transmitted Diseases
- Birth Defects
- Multiples
- Asthma
- Diabetes
- Collagen-vascular Diseases
- Sickle Cell Anemia
- Drug Abuse
- Kidney Problems
- Lung Disease
- Heart Disease
- Seizure Disorders
- Acute Fever
- Significant Anemia
- Tokophobia - Fear of Getting Pregnant and Pregnancy
- Bed Rest - Do You Need It?
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