High Risk Obstetrics & Maternity

A high-risk pregnancy is one that threatens the health or life of the mother or her fetus.

For most women, early and regular prenatal care promotes a healthy pregnancy and delivery without complications. But some women are at an increased risk for complications even before they get pregnant for a variety of reasons.

Risk factors for a high-risk pregnancy can include:

• Existing health conditions, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or being HIV-positive.
• Overweight and obesity. Obesity increases the risk for high blood pressure, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, stillbirth, neural tube defects, and cesarean delivery.
• Multiple births. The risk of complications is higher in women carrying more than one fetus (twins and higher-order multiples).
• Young or old maternal age. Pregnancy in teens and women aged 35 or over increases the risk for preeclampsia and gestational high blood pressure.
• Placenta previa is a condition in which the placenta covers the cervix. The condition can cause bleeding, especially if a woman has contractions

Women with high-risk pregnancies should receive care from a special team of health care providers to ensure that their pregnancies are healthy and that they can carry their infant or infants to term.