New Life Medical Esthetics and Wellness

Your pregnancy is called high-risk if you or your baby has an increased chance of a health problem. Many things can put you at high risk. Being called “high-risk” may sound scary. But it’s just a way for doctors to make sure that you get special attention during your pregnancy. Your doctor will watch you closely during your pregnancy to find any problems early.

The conditions listed below put you and your baby at a higher risk for problems, such as slowed growth for the baby, preterm labor, preeclampsia, and problems with the placenta. But it’s important to remember that being at high risk doesn’t mean that you or your baby will have problems.

Your health plan may have its own list of what makes a pregnancy high-risk. In general, your pregnancy may be high-risk if:

• You have a health problem, such as:
  • Diabetes.
  • Cancer.
  • High blood pressure.
  • Kidney disease.
  • Epilepsy.

• You use alcohol or illegal drugs, or you smoke.
• You are younger than 17 or older than 35.
• You are pregnant with more than one baby (multiple pregnancy).
• You have had three or more miscarriages.
• Your baby has been found to have a genetic condition, such as Down syndrome, or a heart, lung, or kidney problem.
• You had a problem in a past pregnancy, such as:
  • Preterm labor.
  • Preeclampsia or seizures (eclampsia).
  • Having a baby with a genetic problem, such as Down syndrome.
• You have an infection, such as HIV or hepatitis C. Other infections that can cause a problem include cytomegalovirus (CMV), chickenpox, rubella, toxoplasmosis, and syphilis.
• You are taking certain medicines, such as lithium, phenytoin (such as Dilantin), valproic acid (Depakene), or carbamazepine (such as Tegretol).

Other health problems can make your pregnancy high-risk. These include heart valve problems, sickle cell disease, asthma, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis. Talk to your doctor about any health problems you have.