High Risk Pregnancy Complications Guide

What is considered a high-risk pregnancy?

A high-risk pregnancy is a pregnancy with medical, surgical, or other issues that could put the fetus, the pregnancy and/or the mother at risk. It includes:

  1. A fetus or baby that is more likely than usual to become sick or die 
  2. Medical, surgical, or other complications during pregnancy, before or after delivery which has a higher risk to occur than usual.
  3. Older women (usually 35+ years)
  4. Women with prior complications
  5. Women becoming pregnant with reproductive technology (eg IVF)

Many women with high-risk pregnancies can continue and see their regular Ob-Gyns, others may need to get care from a special team of doctors such as Maternal-Fetal Medicine Ob-Gyns (high-risk obstetricians) to ensure that their pregnancies are healthy and that they have a healthy pregnancy outcome.

Top high-risk pregnancy complications

  1. Miscarriage/Pregnancy Loss
  2. Ectopic Pregnancy
  3. High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
  4. Gestational Diabetes
  5. Preeclampsia
  6. Premature/Preterm Labor
  7. Hyperemesis Gravidarum/Severe Nausea and Vomiting
  8. Anemia
  9. Infections and Sexually Transmitted Diseases
  10. Birth Defects
  11. Multiples
  12. Asthma
  13. Diabetes
  14. Collagen-vascular Diseases
  15. Sickle Cell Anemia
  16. Drug Abuse
  17. Kidney Problems
  18. Lung Disease
  19. Heart Disease
  20. Seizure Disorders
  21. Acute Fever
  22. Significant Anemia
  23. Tokophobia - Fear of Getting Pregnant and Pregnancy
  24. Bed Rest - Do You Need It?
  25. Abnormal placentation