A high-risk pregnancy is a pregnancy that involves increased health risks for the pregnant person, fetus, or both. People with high-risk pregnancies may need extra medical care before, during, and after they give birth. This helps reduce the possibility and severity of complications.
All pregnancies carry risks. A high-risk pregnancy means you have a higher-than-average risk of experiencing a pregnancy complication. Some pregnancies begin as high risk, while others become high risk at some point during the pregnancy. Factors that make a pregnancy high risk include:
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- Preexisting health conditions
- Autoimmune diseases
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Fibroids
- HIV/AIDS
- Kidney disease
- Obesity
- Mental health disorders
- Polycystic ovary syndrome
- Thyroid disease
- Blood clotting disorders
- Pregnancy-related health conditions
- Gestational diabetes
- Low birth weight
- Pregnancies with more than one fetus, such as twins or triplets
- Gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, and eclampsia
- Placental conditions such as placenta previa or a placental abruption
- Previous preterm birth or other complications with previous pregnancies
- Too much or too little amniotic fluid
- Lifestyle factors
- Smoking
- Substance abuse disorder
- Alcohol use disorder
- Exposure to certain toxins
Age alone isn’t a determining factor in a high-risk pregnancy. Your pregnancy care provider determines if your pregnancy is likely to have complications based on several other factors. A high-risk pregnancy can be life-threatening for the pregnant person or fetus. Some of the most common complications can include:
- Preeclampsia-spectrum disorders, including gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, and eclampsia
- Preterm delivery
- Cesarean delivery
- Postpartum hemorrhage- excessive bleeding during labor and delivery, or after birth
- Low birth weight
- Birth defects
- Neonatal intensive care unit admission for your baby
- Intensive care unit admission for you
- Miscarriage
- Stillbirth
It is important to talk to your pregnancy care provider about your risks for these complications and ask them any questions you have. With proper monitoring and care, you and your providers may be able to reduce your risk of having these or other complications.
Getting early and thorough prenatal care as soon as you know you’re pregnant is critical as it is the best way to detect and manage a high-risk pregnancy. Tell your healthcare provider about your health history and any past pregnancies.
You can reduce your risk of pregnancy complications by:
Getting early and thorough prenatal care as soon as you know you’re pregnant is critical as it is the best way to detect and manage a high-risk pregnancy. Tell your healthcare provider about your health history and any past pregnancies.
You can reduce your risk of pregnancy complications by:
- Avoiding beverages containing alcohol and any nonprescription drugs or medications.
- Identifying potential health risks before getting pregnant.
- Maintaining a body weight that’s healthy for you before pregnancy.
- Managing any preexisting health conditions you may have.
- Making sure any long-term medications are safe to take during pregnancy.
- Quitting smoking
- Practicing safe sex reduces the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
At Jamaica Hospital's Department of Women's Health Services, we are passionate about meeting the various needs of women in our community. We proudly treat women from all walks of life and provide a warm and welcoming environment.
To learn more about our OB/GYN services or to make an appointment, contact us at 718-291-3276.
