Everything You Need to Know About Having a High-Risk Pregnancy
The vast majority of pregnancies are, for lack of a better word, normal. Every pregnancy has its ups and downs, but most follow a routine. A woman becomes pregnant, carries the baby for around nine months, and gives birth to a happy, healthy child. A couple days later, both mom and baby will go home with a clean bill of health. Any small blips on the journey to birth will be forgotten.
However, some women experience high-risk pregnancies, often through no fault of their own. Many different factors can cause a pregnancy to become high-risk, but the definition remains the same: a potential for complications that could endanger the mom, the baby, or both. Although most high-risk pregnancies have happy conclusions with the help of specialized care, it’s still a frightening situation for any potential parent. Use the below as a primer on what to expect.
If you’re going through a high-risk pregnancy, you need a great OB/GYN by your side. At Lake Havasu OB/GYN Care, Dr. Hooker and rest our team will help make sure you get the specialized care you need. Dr. Hooker offers advanced obstetric care to all patients and will help you have the smoothest pregnancy and delivery possible.
High-risk pregnancy basics
A high-risk pregnancy threatens the health of the mother and her unborn baby. According to the University of California, San Francisco, about six to eight percent of all pregnancies are considered high-risk. These kinds of pregnancies need to be treated with the utmost care and require the work of a highly trained obstetrician. Your pregnancy may be high-risk if you:
- Have an existing health condition, such as diabetes, HIV, or high blood pressure
- Are overweight or obese
- Carry multiple fetuses
- Are a teenager
- Are age 35 or older
- Have pregnancy complications of slow fetal growth or abnormal placenta position
- Drink alcohol, smoke, or use illicit drugs while pregnant
- Have a history of uterine surgery
Some pregnancies start off high-risk, like those classified by age or an existing health condition, while others become high-risk later, like those with complications in fetal growth. If your pregnancy is deemed high-risk, you can still have a healthy, full-term pregnancy. Just expect frequent monitoring from Dr. Hooker and the rest of your pregnancy team.
Will I need to do special tests?
Part of Dr. Hooker’s frequent monitoring will include a bevy of tests to ensure that you are staying healthy and that your unborn baby is developing and growing properly. These tests may include:
- Targeted ultrasounds to check for abnormal fetal development
- Ultrasounds that check cervix length
- Amniocentesis to identify genetic conditions and neural tube defects
- Chorionic villus sampling to identify genetic conditions
- Cordocentesis to identify blood conditions, infections, and genetic disorders
- Lab tests to check for urinary tract infections and infectious diseases
Dr. Hooker will always go over the risks and benefits of each test to determine if they are a good match for you. Don’t be afraid to speak up or ask for clarification – we want you to be entirely comfortable with any tests performed.
What you can do to have a healthy pregnancy
To start, absolutely do not smoke or use illicit drugs while pregnant and make sure to follow Dr. Hooker’s guidelines on alcohol consumption. Otherwise, the best practices for high-risk pregnancies mirror those of normal pregnancies.
Eat a healthy diet filled with fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean meats. Exercise when possible and within the limits set by Dr. Hooker. Protect yourself from diseases, and make sure to wash your hands frequently. Also avoid uncooked meat, soft cheeses, and other foods deemed unhealthy for pregnant women. Finally, relax a little. Pregnancy can beautiful and stressful at the same time, but try to keep your blood pressure low.
Whether your pregnancy is high-risk or low-risk, Dr. Hooker will provide you with the best care possible. Call or request an appointment at our Lake Havasu City office today.