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High-Risk Pregnancies: What Women Should Know

No expectant mother wants to hear that her pregnancy is considered “high-risk.” The term refers to any pregnancy where the mother, the baby or both are at a higher-than-average risk of experiencing complications. Some high-risk pregnancies result in a perfectly normal pregnancy and birth. Others result in dangerous, stressful situations for the mother and child.

A pregnancy is likely to be labeled high-risk if it meets one or more of the following conditions:

- You have a chronic medical condition, such as diabetes, high blood pressure or heart disease

- You have a history of pregnancy-related complications or pregnancy loss

- You are older than 35 or younger than 17 years old

- You are carrying more than one child

- You have an STD (including HIV) that could be transmitted to your baby

- You have had two or more second-trimester abortions

- You are a carrier for a genetic disorder

- You have a personal history of a congenital malformation or a previous child with a congenital malformation

If your pregnancy has been labeled high-risk, you may need to be seen in consultation by a doctor who specializes in high-risk pregnancies called a perinatologist or maternal fetal medicine specialist. Your pregnancy will be monitored more carefully and your doctor may ask you to make more frequent visits. Depending on the conditions of your pregnancy, you may be put on bed rest or have your activities restricted. It is vital that you discuss with your doctor the specifics of what you can and can’t do while you are on bed rest.

For those who are experiencing a high-risk pregnancy, it is normal to have feelings of guilt, anger, sadness, resentment, helplessness and fear. An understanding partner can be immensely helpful during this time. Ask your doctor to recommend a therapist who has worked with other high-risk mothers. If you are on bed rest, you may feel helpless, bored and exhausted. There are many online support groups for mothers confined to bed rest than can help you get through your pregnancy.

I’m often asked about how to avoid having a high-risk pregnancy. Taking care of your health before you are planning to conceive is an important step. Consult with your physician to measure your overall health, which may include discussing your personal and family medical history and vaccination status. Maintaining a healthy exercise and nutrition routine and taking a physician-prescribed, daily prenatal vitamin may also decrease your chances of developing a high-risk pregnancy. The healthier you are before you conceive, the better your chance of having a healthy pregnancy and baby.

Dr. Cornelia “Connie” Graves is a maternal-fetal medicine specialist and medical director of the perinatal program at Baptist Hospital in Nashville, Tenn., where more than 7,000 babies are delivered each year at the faith-based hospital. Dr. Graves also practices with Tennessee Maternal Fetal Medicine, where she serves as medical director. www.baptisthospital.com.

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High-Risk Pregnancies: What Women Should Know

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