What Is a High-Risk Pregnancy?

Every pregnancy has some risks.

A high risk pregnancy is defined as one in which some condition puts either the mother or fetus at higher than normal risk for complications.

Types

There are a variety of conditions that can create a high risk pregnancy. The most common include high blood pressure, kidney problems, heart disease, sexually transmitted diseases, cancer and diabetes. Pregnant women over the age of 35 are automatically considered at high risk.

Considerations

A woman going through a high-risk pregnancy needs closer monitoring by a physician than the average pregnant woman. Extra attention must be focused on the condition that is creating the higher risk of complications like gestational diabetes, pre-term labor, excessive bleeding, low birth weight or miscarriage.

Significance

A woman undergoing a high risk pregnancy will generally experience more stress and anxiety. If stress levels are high, the mother should consult with a perinatologist, an obstetrician that specializes in the care of high-risk pregnancies.

Misconceptions

There is no set of conditions that makes any pregnancy perfectly safe. All pregnancies have some inherent risks involved, high risk pregnancies have a greater degree of risk.

Fun Fact

According to the American Pregnancy Association, at any given time 4 percent of women in the U.S. are pregnant.

References

• High Risk Pregnancy
• Coping with a High-Risk Pregnancy
• High Risk Pregnancy Directory