Whether it's your first pregnancy or your third, hearing that your pregnancy is high-risk can be worrying. High-risk pregnancy is a term that can refer to a wide variety of common conditions. Many of these are related to pre-existing conditions you may have had before becoming pregnant or to conditions you may have developed during pregnancy or during childbirth.

A high-risk pregnancy does not necessarily mean that your pregnancy will be more difficult than a low-risk pregnancy. However, it sometimes means that you will have a different type of monitoring. Additionally, if you have a child with a genetic disorder or syndrome, we can provide you with advice and support on how the condition may affect your future pregnancies. Always speak to your Obstetrician-Gynecologist to determine what is best for you and your pregnancy.

What conditions can lead to a high-risk pregnancy?

The following list represents the most common conditions that can lead to a high-risk pregnancy:

• a serious medical condition (high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, inflammatory bowel disease, autoimmune disorders, etc.)
• family history or previous child with birth defects
• family history of a genetic disorder
• history of poor pregnancy outcome (recurrent miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth)
• history of pregnancy-related complications (premature birth, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes)
• preeclampsia 
• multiple pregnancy (twins, triplets, etc.)
• sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
• obesity

 Will all my future pregnancies be high risk?

Having a high-risk pregnancy does not mean that all of your future pregnancies will also be considered high-risk. A complication may occur in one pregnancy that would not occur in another, and some health conditions may change over time.

However, if you had a pregnancy that ended in preterm labor, then you are at higher risk of preterm labor in your next pregnancy. If this happens, your obstetrician will manage your pregnancy using medications and monitor the length of your cervix with ultrasound monitoring.

Our Clinic's unique team-based approach offers many advantages to women seeking care for pregnancy-related complications. Our patients have immediate access to specialists in the care of high-risk pregnancies and subsequent neonatal care, including Fetomaternal Surgeons, Neonatologists, Pediatric Surgeons and Pediatric Cardiologists.

Ultimately, the most important thing to remember about a high-risk pregnancy is that the Obstetrician-Gynecologist in collaboration with the Fetal Medicine Specialist have the knowledge and experience needed to keep you and your baby as healthy as possible.