A high risk pregnancy is when you or your baby may be at increased risk of health problems before, during, or after delivery.  Some women start their pregnancy as high risk due to health conditions while others may become high risk after developing complications during pregnancy.  

There are a variety of reasons why a pregnancy would be high risk. These can include both medical conditions or environmental factors.  One of the most common reasons is having complications in a prior pregnancy such as pre-eclampsia, diabetes, or preterm delivery.  While not all women experience the same problems in future pregnancies, the providers at Alliance Obstetrics & Gynecology will monitor your health and progression of your pregnancy more closely if you had complications in a prior pregnancy.  Here is a list of some conditions which would categorize someone as having a high risk pregnancy:

• age over 35
• overweight or obese
• pregnant with more than one baby
• IVF pregnancy
• prior surgery on your uterus including a c-section or myomectomy (for fibroids)
• chronic health conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, thyroid dysfunction, asthma, blood disorders, kidney disease, autoimmune disease, HIV, cancer, mental illness, epilepsy, heart disease
• pregnancy complications such as abnormal placental position, fetal growth restriction, blood incompatibility with baby, birth defects, genetic abnormalities, preterm labor, cervical insufficiency
• environmental exposures

In general, a high-risk pregnancy will likely require more frequent visits, additional testing, and closer monitoring.  Dr. Worley and Dr. Silva are extensively trained in both low-risk and high-risk pregnancies.  They will outline an individualized plan of care based on guidelines from the American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists and the Society for Maternal and Fetal Medicine.  It may include extra monitoring or testing and sometimes even consultation with a specialist.  If that is required, our team will assist referral coordination in a cost-conscious manner.  

By definition, high risk pregnancies are more complicated and home births or birthing centers will generally not be an option given the inherent danger to a mother and her baby.  Delivery in a hospital that is equipped with the proper tools and faculty to respond quickly to any problems which may arise is the safest place to give birth.  Our providers deliver only at hospitals with a board-certified OBGYN, anesthesiology team, and pediatric team present at all times to ensure the ability to immediately respond to and intervene for any emergency situation.  

Consistent prenatal care is the most important part of any high-risk pregnancy.  Our providers will ensure that you are educated about your condition and will address any concerns to help ease your mind and keep you and your baby as healthy as possible.  With proper care and treatment, most people with high-risk pregnancies have an uneventful pregnancy.

It is natural to experience worry over the health and wellness of any pregnancy, especially one that is high-risk.  You may have fears about the unexpected or feel overwhelmed with the additional visits/testing needed during your prenatal care.  These feelings may cause you to feel stress, depression, anxiety, etc.  In addition to reaching out to friends and family for support, our providers will work with you to provide reassure and help you manage your emotions.  They have resources available to help you care for yourself and your developing baby.  Sharing your thoughts, feelings, and concerns will give you an outlet and help to keep you informed and more in control of your feelings.  

With any pregnancy, maintaining a close relationship with your OBGYN is essential to caring for you and your baby.  In general, the following tips can help reduce the possibility of complications:

• attend a preconception appointment prior to pregnancy
• take time to research your condition 
• attend all prenatal appointments
• eat a healthy diet and stay active
• establish a support system with friends/family
• monitor your mental health and seek out help if needed