High Risk Pregnancy Care
A pregnancy is considered high-risk when there are potential complications that could affect the mother, the baby, or both. High-risk pregnancies require management by a specialist to help ensure the best outcome for the mother and baby.
Signs and symptoms of high-risk pregnancy
- Abdominal pain that doesn’t go away.
- Chest pain.
- Dizziness or fainting.
- Extreme fatigue.
- Your unborn baby’s movement is stopping or slowing.
- Fever over 100.4°F.
- Heart palpitations.
- Nausea and vomiting that’s worse than normal morning sickness.
- Severe headache that won’t go away or gets worse.
- Swelling, redness or pain in your face or limbs.
- Thoughts about harming yourself or your unborn baby.
- Trouble breathing.
- Vaginal bleeding or discharge.
Conditions may lead to a high-risk pregnancy
Diabetes : If you have diabetes before you become pregnant, you will likely be referred to a doctor to monitor your condition and determine the proper medications. Preconception counseling is ideal.
Hypertension : If you have hypertension before pregnancy, doctor will monitor your baby’s growth and may be consulted if problems arise.
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) : In general, your obstetric provider can treat you for sexually transmitted diseases that may occur during pregnancy or if there is a pre-existing STD.
Obesity : Women who are obese have a greater risk of developing diabetes, hypertension and pre-eclampsia during pregnancy. “Obesity is the one of the only health conditions affecting pregnant women that can be changed before pregnancy, which is why doctor encourage women to lose weight through healthy strategies.
