A new pregnancy is often an exciting development. But when you learn that you have a high-risk pregnancy, this hopeful time can quickly become an alarming one. Fortunately, specialized care helps reduce the risk of complications and supports a healthy pregnancy and delivery. Richmond University Medical Center discusses what a high-risk pregnancy is, warning signs to watch for, and how our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and specialized OB/GYNs can protect your health and your baby.
Key Takeaways
- A high-risk pregnancy is a pregnancy with a higher likelihood of complications due to health conditions, lifestyle factors, age, weight, or reproductive history.
- Warning signs of a pregnancy complication include reduced fetal movement, abdominal pain, fever, headache, vision changes, nausea, heart palpitations, discharge, and swelling.
- Physicians protect patients and their babies through high-risk pregnancies with routine monitoring, specialized care, and planned deliveries.
- Richmond University Medical Center offers specialized medical care for women undergoing high-risk pregnancies to support a safe pregnancy and delivery.
What Is a High-Risk Pregnancy?
All pregnancies carry risks. A high-risk pregnancy is any pregnancy where the risk of health complications is higher than usual. There are many reasons why a pregnancy may be considered high-risk. Some of them include:
- Pre-existing health conditions
- Pregnancy-related health conditions
- Multiple gestation (twins or triplets)
- Lifestyle factors, such as smoking or alcohol use
- Being over 35 or under 17 years old
- Being severely overweight or underweight
- A history of infertility or miscarriage
- Complications with previous pregnancies
A high-risk classification does not mean that you or the fetus will experience health problems. It also does not mean that the pregnancy will be difficult. Many mothers have uneventful pregnancies and a normal delivery despite having special health needs. A high-risk pregnancy only means that you need special attention to prevent complications or treat them before they become serious.
What Are Pregnancy Warning Signs?
Healthy pregnancies cause many physical changes. Most of these, although uncomfortable, are normal symptoms of pregnancy. Sometimes, however, a sudden change can be a sign of a serious problem that threatens the health of mother and child. Urgent medical attention is essential for:
- Baby moving less than usual
- Persistent abdominal pain
- Intense nausea and vomiting
- Dizziness or fainting
- Extreme fatigue
- Heart palpitations
- Chest pain
- Trouble breathing
- Persistent and severe headaches
- Vision changes
- Vaginal bleeding or discharge
- Redness or swelling in the face or limbs
- Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby
Contact an obstetrician or gynecologist if you notice any of these symptoms, regardless of whether your pregnancy is considered high risk. Even normal and low-risk pregnancies can quickly go wrong. If something does not feel right, it is better to seek immediate help than to wait.
How Are High-Risk Pregnancies Managed?
With proper maternity management, high-risk pregnancies are not automatically dangerous. Many patients have a totally uneventful pregnancy and delivery because of the physicians who work to keep them safe. Management strategies for high-risk pregnancies may include:
- Monitoring: Regular imaging and tests help physicians monitor the pregnancy’s progress and catch signs of a complication before it becomes serious.
- Specialized care: Medical specialists provide focused, personalized care to mitigate risk and improve the likelihood of an uneventful delivery.
- Condition management: Patients and physicians monitor any existing conditions to limit their impact on the pregnancy.
- Planned delivery: Depending on the reason for risk, the physician may recommend labor induction or a cesarean delivery before the natural due date.
The NICU at Richmond University Medical Center has a mortality rate of 1 per 1,000 births, which is lower than the national average of 4 per 1,000 births.
Get High-Risk Pregnancy Care in Staten Island, NY
If you or a loved one has a high-risk pregnancy, specialized medical care can help manage risks and support the health of both mother and baby. Richmond University Medical Center is home to a state-of-the-art Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) that provides comprehensive care for high-risk pregnancies and newborns in the Staten Island, NY, area. Contact us to learn more about our advanced services and family-centered care model or to make an appointment with an OB/GYN.
FAQs About High-Risk Pregnancy
What are warning signs during pregnancy?
Warning signs during pregnancy include a persistent and severe headache, vision changes, vaginal bleeding, severe belly pain, trouble breathing, chest pain, fever, and swelling in the hands, face, or leg. Contact an OB/GYN immediately if you notice any of these symptoms while pregnant.
Who needs a high-risk pregnancy doctor?
Patients need a high-risk pregnancy doctor when the pregnancy carries a higher chance of health complications. The risk may be caused by a pre-existing condition, a pregnancy-related complication, multiple fetuses, abnormal genetic screening results, or being older than 35 or younger than 17. Patients may also see a high-risk pregnancy doctor if they have a history of miscarriages or premature labor.
Can women with high-risk pregnancies have healthy births?
Yes, women with high-risk pregnancies can and often do have healthy births. Frequent monitoring, medication, planned deliveries, and other specialized care can reduce the likelihood of complications, ensuring a safe delivery for both mother and child.
