High Risk Complicated Pregnancy Treatment

What is a High-Risk Pregnancy?

All pregnancies carry risks. The definition of a “high-risk” pregnancy is any pregnancy that carries increased health risks for the pregnant person, fetus, or both. People with high-risk pregnancies may need extra care before, during, and after they give birth. This helps to reduce the possibility of complications.

Specific factors that might contribute to a high-risk pregnancy include:

• Advanced Maternal Age. Pregnancy risks are higher for mothers older than age 35.
• Lifestyle choices. Smoking cigarettes, drinking alcohol, and using illegal drugs can put a pregnancy at risk.
• Maternal Health Problems. High blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, epilepsy, thyroid disease, heart or blood disorders, poorly controlled asthma, and infections can increase pregnancy risks.
• Pregnancy Complications. Various complications that develop during pregnancy can pose risks. Examples include an unusual placenta position, fetal growth less than the 10th percentile for gestational age (fetal growth restriction), and rhesus (Rh) sensitization — a potentially serious condition that can occur when your blood group is Rh negative and your baby's blood group is Rh positive.
• Multiple Pregnancies. Pregnancy risks are higher for women carrying more than one fetus.