Our Oakwood Women’s Centre ObGyns have decades of combined experience with high-risk pregnancy care.
When a woman is experiencing a high-risk pregnancy, she needs to seek out a team that is experienced in the most up-to-date practices and procedures that can protect both mother and baby. Our Oakwood Women’s Centre ObGyns have the expertise to handle special needs. Parents can feel confident that they are in reliable hands throughout pregnancy and delivery.
What is a high risk pregnancy?
A high-risk pregnancy is one in which there are risk factors that could cause complications during the pregnancy and/or delivery. There are several factors that create this risk.
- Health conditions that exist prior to becoming pregnant Conditions include high blood pressure; diabetes; thyroid conditions; autoimmune diseases such as lupus and multiple sclerosis; HIV/AIDS; kidney disease; and polycystic ovary syndrome (POS).
- Maternal age Both teens and women ages 35 or older are considered high-risk pregnancy patients. Teens may develop gestational high blood pressure or anemia. Older moms are at risk for complications during delivery and labor that lasts more than 20 hours or does not advance. Their infants are also at higher risk of developing genetic disorders such as Down Syndrome.
- Lifestyle choices Alcohol use can lead to fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), and women who drink alcohol are also more at risk for stillbirths and miscarriages. Smoking can cause serious problems for the fetus, including an increase in risk of preterm birth, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and certain birth defects. Patients who are overweight or obese prior to getting pregnant may have a high-risk pregnancy because of their risk of developing conditions such as high blood pressure; gestational diabetes and preeclampsia.
- Multiple pregnancies If a patient is pregnant with two or more babies, there is an increased risk for premature delivery before 37 weeks of gestation and other complications.
- Gestational diabetes When a patient develops diabetes during pregnancy, the condition can lead to an increased risk for premature birth, high blood pressure and more if left uncontrolled.
- Preeclampsia and eclampsia These serious conditions usually occur after the 20th week of pregnancy, and they require careful monitoring from our Round Rock ObGyns to keep mother and baby safe.
Our team offers state-of-the-art testing for high risk pregnancy
Women who have a high risk pregnancy may need additional tests above and beyond the routine prenatal testing we offer every obstetrical patient. For example, our physicians may discuss chorionic villus sampling (CVS), genetic testing and amniocentesis to identify certain genetic issues, first trimester ultrasound screening or other tests.
Our high risk pregnancy care focuses on a healthy full-term delivery
High-risk pregnancy care begins with careful monitoring of both mother and fetus. We devise an individualized care plan based on the needs of each patient. Every member of our obstetrical team will support you at every stage of your high-risk pregnancy and delivery, working with you to achieve our goal and yours—a healthy, full-term baby. Contact us for a prenatal appointment.