What is Considered a High-Risk Pregnancy?

Know what to expect when you are expecting…with a high-risk pregnancy.

Finding out you’re pregnant is such an exciting time; however, finding out you are a high-risk pregnancy can make things a little more complicated. Of course, our Brownsville, TX, OBGYN Dr. J. Gabriel Guajardo offers the individualized, gentle care you need throughout your high-risk pregnancy to put your mind at ease and to make your pregnancy a happy and joyous time.

What makes a pregnancy high risk?

There are several factors that can make a pregnancy high risk including,

• The age of the mother
• Preexisting medical conditions
• Preeclampsia
• Gestational diabetes
• Multiple Births

The age of the mother: Women who are under 17 years old or over 35 years old are at an increased risk for complications during pregnancy. There is also an increase in certain genetic disorders. These risks increase further for mothers-to-be who are over 40 years old.

Preexisting conditions: Women who are dealing with certain chronic health problems such as diabetes, heart disorders, autoimmune disorders, STDs, HIV or high blood pressure need to let our Brownsville, TX, obstetrician know during their first visit so that we can monitor them and provide them with the proper care they need to prevent miscarriages or other serious health complications. We may also perform certain procedures or tests during your visit to rule out any issues or just as a safety precaution.

Medical conditions during pregnancy: Sometimes women develop health problems when they become pregnant, which is why it’s also important that you schedule an appointment as soon as possible after finding out you are pregnant. The first visit will not only confirm the pregnancy but we will also be able to catch any health problems that may have developed such as preeclampsia or gestational diabetes.

Multiple births: Women who are carrying twins, triplets or even more babies are more likely to be a high-risk pregnancy since this can increase the mother-to-be’s chances of developing certain health problems or premature labor.

We know how important it is to have an obstetrician on your side during your pregnancy. Call our Brownsville, TX, obstetric and gynecology clinic today to learn more about the services we offer.