High-Risk pregnancies
While every family is looking forward to a healthy pregnancy, in some instances unexpected challenges arise. At OB/GYN Associates of Lancaster, we specialize in high-risk pregnancy and are committed to working closely with you throughout your pregnancy, until your baby is born, and into the postpartum months.
We have expertise in all areas of concern you may encounter, and our compassionate and patient-centered care will be with you at every step of the way.
What is a high-risk pregnancy?
Your pregnancy may be considered high-risk if either you or your baby has an elevated chance of developing a health problem. Many risk factors could contribute to putting you in the high-risk category, but it’s not as scary as it sounds! It’s a way for your doctor to make sure that you get the specialized health care you need during your pregnancy.
Many pregnancy complications could put you at a higher risk of developing problems. These include delayed growth of your baby, preterm labor, preeclampsia, premature birth, and issues with your placenta.
Some factors that could contribute to a high-risk pregnancy:
- High blood pressure
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Cancer
- Epilepsy
- Kidney disease
- Certain blood disorders
- Multiple pregnancies (more than one baby)
- History of miscarriages
- Gestational diabetes
Your doctor will discuss other factors that could put your pregnancy in the high-risk group. It’s important to remember that being put in the high-risk group doesn’t mean trouble down the road, but rather that you will receive care specifically tailored to meet your condition.
What are some possible complications of a high-risk pregnancy?
It’s important to pay close attention to high-risk pregnancy to avoid having your baby born prematurely, to avoid infant deaths, and to prevent your baby from developing type 2 diabetes later in life. Our goal is to help you have the safest, happiest pregnancy possible and to help you welcome home your healthy new family member.
You will likely have more visits with your doctor than someone who is not classified as a high-risk pregnancy. You’ll also have more ultrasounds to make sure that baby is healthy and growing as expected. Regular blood pressure checks and urine samples will make sure that your blood glucose is at the right levels and that you have no unwanted proteins or urinary tract infections.
Things You Can Do to Have a Healthy Pregnancy
There are certain things you can do to make sure that you and your baby have a healthy pregnancy. For starters, make sure that you go to all of your doctor’s appointments and take all of the recommended tests. This makes sure that any new or developing issues can be caught before they become a problem.
Also, make sure you have a healthy diet and take any medications, vitamins, or iron that your doctor prescribes. This includes your daily dose of Folic acid. Finally, make sure you follow all of your doctor’s instructions for daily activity.
We’re here to help make sure your pregnancy is as safe and healthy as possible. Contact us to schedule an appointment so that we can talk through any concerns you may have about your high-risk pregnancy.