What is a High-Risk Pregnancy?
If there are concerns about the health of you or your baby during your pregnancy, then your pregnancy is considered high risk and requires specialized care from the team at North Atlanta Women's Specialists.
Your pregnancy may be considered high risk if you’re:
- Carrying multiple babies
- Overweight or underweight
- A teen or over the age of 35
- Have a pre-existing health condition
North Atlanta Women's Specialists is also experienced in managing high-risk pregnancies in women with pre-existing health conditions and can manage health concerns that affect your baby, including abnormalities of or defects in the brain or heart.
What Can I Expect During Prenatal Care?
During your prenatal care, you can expect to be well taken care of by the team at North Atlanta Women's Specialists. They develop a personalized treatment plan for you so you know what to expect during your pregnancy.
As with any other pregnancy, you can expect to see your provider on a fairly regular basis. The frequency of your visits may depend on you and your baby’s health.
At each visit, your provider checks your:
- Weight
- Blood pressure
- Abdominal growth
- Urine
Additional testing may be necessary depending on your health risk.
Will I Need Any Special Tests?
You may need special testing during your high-risk pregnancy. In addition to routine blood work, your provider may also recommend:
- More frequent or specialized ultrasounds
- Amniocentesis
- Chorionic villus (CVS) and placenta tissue sampling: tests for genetic defects
- Cordocentesis: an umbilical cord blood test for genetic defects
They may also recommend a biophysical profile, which assesses your baby’s health or an ultrasound that measures your cervical length to assess any risk of preterm labor.
What Can I Do to Ensure a Healthy Pregnancy?
While you may require specialized care throughout your pregnancy, you still need to follow some general guidelines to ensure both you and your baby remain healthy. The team at North Atlanta Women's Specialists recommends:
- Eating a healthy diet
- Reducing stress
- Avoiding substances that may harm you or your baby
Many women worry about weight gain during pregnancy. The team discusses what is healthy weight gain for you based on your pre-pregnancy weight and health.
For expert care for your high-risk pregnancy, call North Atlanta Women's Specialists or schedule an appointment online.
