High Risk Pregnancy Specialist

What is a high-risk pregnancy?

High-risk pregnancies are pregnancies involving complications that put the baby or the mother's health and well being at risk. Some common high-risk complications include:

• Gestational diabetes
• Preeclampsia/high blood pressure
• Placental previa
• Preterm labor
• Genetic defects in the baby
• Maternal health problems
• Maternal drug or alcohol use
• Maternal age under 17 or over 35
• Maternal history of miscarriage or stillbirth
• Pregnancy with multiples
• Pregnancy after infertility treatment
• Past pregnancy complications
• Certain medication use

Some of these complications are known at the beginning of pregnancy, while others are discovered with prenatal testing throughout the pregnancy. Dr. Bharksuwan can help women understand what their risk is and what testing is necessary to help protect themselves and their babies.

What type of care is needed for a high-risk pregnancy?

Women who've been diagnosed with a high-risk condition will have more visits during their pregnancy than normal. Some types of risk require more blood pressure, ultrasound, or non-stress tests. Dr. Bharksuwan may also test a woman's urine more frequently if she has complications.

How can a woman reduce her risk of a high-risk pregnancy?

Some risks can't be avoided. Genetic problems, preexisting health conditions, and certain conditions like placenta previa happen regardless of a woman's lifestyle while pregnant. Other complications, like high blood pressure, may respond to healthy lifestyle changes. Women should avoid taking drugs or drinking alcohol, get plenty of exercise if their condition allows, take prenatal vitamins, and follow all recommendations from Dr. Bharksuwan.

Will future pregnancies be high risk if a mother has complications?

The answer to this depends on the nature of the risk. Fetal complications, like genetic factors, don't affect future pregnancies. Maternal health risks, like hypertension or a history of preterm labor, can affect future pregnancies. Women should always discuss with Dr. Bharksuwan complications they had in past pregnancies to rule out future risk.

Do women with high-risk pregnancies need the help of a specialist?

Sometimes a woman with a higher risk pregnancy will need to see a maternal-fetal specialist, which is a doctor who has extra training in managing high-risk pregnancies. Dr. Bharksuwan will help his patients determine if they need the help of this specialist. When a woman visits a maternal-fetal specialist, Dr. Bharksuwan continues to be her primary doctor, while the specialist provides extra monitoring and recommendations. For more information about high-risk pregnancies, schedule an appointment with Dr. Bharksuwan.