How Do I Know My Pregnancy is High-Risk?
Having a baby is one of the most beautiful and memorable times in a woman’s life. It can also be one of the most challenging. You’ve probably experienced many changes in your body, and you're constantly thinking about the best outcome for your baby.
While some pregnant women experience a routine course, others face complications of a high-risk pregnancy. 6-8% of mothers-to-be experience high-risk pregnancies, which require extensive obstetrical care to help minimize complications.
If you’re having a high-risk pregnancy, the dedicated team at FemmPro OB/GYN, located in Garden City and Massapequa, New York, will help you arrive at the healthiest outcome for you and your baby. Read on to find out what increases your likelihood of having a high-risk pregnancy and how we're able to help you every step of the way.
What is a high-risk pregnancy?
If you’ve been told you're having a “high-risk pregnancy,” you might feel uneasy — but you should take comfort in knowing that most women classified as “high risk” go on to have safe and healthy pregnancies. Being high-risk doesn’t mean you are destined to experience problems, it merely means you’re at a higher risk of developing them during pregnancy.
Understanding the factors of a high-risk pregnancy
Certain factors contribute to having a high-risk pregnancy. The factors are broken into two groups: either pre-existing conditions or conditions that can develop during pregnancy. Some pre-existing conditions include:
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Age: If you are under 18 years old or over 35
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Having cancer, heart disease, or diabetes
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Experiencing fertility problems
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Being overweight or underweight
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Having a blood disorder
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History of high blood pressure
If you don’t have any pre-existing health conditions, you can still have a high-risk pregnancy if specific problems arise during pregnancy. These may include:
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Pre-eclampsia: Elevated blood pressure that can lead to organ damage
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Gestational diabetes
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Placental abruption
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Being pregnant with multiples
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Preterm labor
The best way to know if you have a high-risk pregnancy is by meeting with our experienced prenatal staff.
How to promote a healthy pregnancy
Getting regular prenatal care with us is one of the best ways to ensure you have a safe pregnancy. That way, we can monitor your baby's health every step of the way while offering a wealth of knowledge and the best possible care.
Our prenatal medical team may recommend lifestyle changes you may embrace easily from the comfort of your home. This may include following a balanced diet, sleeping well, and getting light exercise. In order to detect certain problems, we may also recommend you undergo specialized tests right in our office:
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An ultrasound (3D or 4D)
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Genetic screening
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Lab tests
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DNA screening
A high-risk pregnancy may seem worrisome at first, but our team is dedicated to ensuring you have a healthy and happy baby. You can count on the support of our experienced prenatal medical team to help you make healthy, educated decisions throughout your pregnancy. We're here for you!
Schedule your prenatal consultation with us today by calling us or booking online.