Pregnancy should be a happy and exciting time in your life, but if you're high-risk, it can be worrisome. High-risk pregnancies aren't uncommon, but they can be scary when you don't know what to expect for you or your baby.
Although a high-risk pregnancy can cause complications, regular prenatal checkups and close monitoring ensure you and your baby make it through the delivery safe and sound.
Your pregnancy may not be as easy as others, but you can rest easy knowing Dr. John Paul Roberts has the knowledge and experience to keep you healthy. Dr. Roberts is an experienced OB/GYN offering prenatal checkups and care for irregular bleeding with or without pregnancy.
A high-risk pregnancy isn't something any woman plans for, but it does happen. What exactly does it mean to be "high-risk"?
A high-risk pregnancy means you and/or your baby are at an increased risk for health issues before, during, or after delivery.
Many factors play into a high-risk pregnancy, including your medical history, previous pregnancies, and substance use. Other essential factors that make your pregnancy a high-risk one include:
Some lifestyle choices put you in the high-risk category during pregnancy, including overusing alcohol, smoking, and taking illicit drugs. All of these can put your unborn baby at risk for dangerous health problems.
Women under the age of 20 and over the age of 35 are at a higher risk for health complications. Most women understand the risks of being older when getting pregnant. Still, teens and young adults are just as vulnerable to certain issues.
You may start your pregnancy without any problem, but become high-risk in the middle due to issues that might include the location of the placenta, fetal growth restriction, and Rh sensitization.
These issues require intervention or close monitoring to ensure you and your baby stay healthy.
Preexisting health conditions are a significant factor in a high-risk pregnancy status. You may be at higher risk if you have diabetes, high blood pressure, epilepsy, or a heart condition before pregnancy.
Asthma, thyroid problems, and obesity are other factors that could put you and your baby at risk for health problems.
If you're pregnant with multiples, you're almost always in the high-risk pregnancy category because it's more strain on your body. Although twins are more common, triplets, quadruplets, and quintuplets require more intensive monitoring and screenings to keep you and the babies safe.
Previous pregnancy problems also put you at risk for the same or worse issues with subsequent pregnancies. Preeclampsia, miscarriage, and having a child with a genetic condition increase the probability that you'll have the same problems again.
Women with high-risk pregnancies do require more monitoring and special care than those who aren't high-risk. It simply means you may need extra appointments or testing to ensure you and your baby stay healthy until delivery.
You may require special testing if your pregnancy is high-risk to keep a close eye on your baby's growth, development, and health. Some of the special testing you may need includes:
Dr. Roberts discusses how often he needs to see you and what special testing you need at your initial appointment. Some medical conditions or pregnancy problems require more monitoring than others.
The best way to stay healthy during pregnancy is to make an appointment with Dr. Roberts before trying to conceive. He can discuss your current health and determine if you're at a higher risk due to age or previous complications.
When you get pregnant, make an appointment as soon as you know to get blood testing to confirm the pregnancy. To ensure a happy and healthy pregnancy, you should also:
Maintaining a healthy weight is also essential for a healthy pregnancy. The healthier you are before you get pregnant, the more likely you will have a smooth pregnancy. Eating a healthy diet and maintaining physical activity also helps.
Call our office in Plano, Texas, today to schedule a high-risk pregnancy screening or prenatal exam appointment. You can also request a consultation using our convenient online booking tool.
