Hearing that your pregnancy is high-risk can be confusing and overwhelming. With the guidance of an experienced OB/GYN like Derakhsh Fozouni, MD, you can rest assured that you’re well cared for and your baby has what he or she needs to thrive in spite of certain risk factors.
Learn more about factors of a high-risk pregnancy and how Dr Fozouni can help.
Understanding a high-risk pregnancy
A high-risk pregnancy doesn’t always mean that you’ll have a more challenging pregnancy than other women. It can mean that you need specialized care throughout your gestation and during childbirth due to existing health issues like:
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Hypertension
- Sexually transmitted disease
- History of miscarriages or preterm births
You may also be considered high-risk if you have genetic risk factors, are older than 35, or if you’re carrying more than one baby.
Preeclampsia is a condition that develops during pregnancy and which can increase your risk factors. This condition causes high blood pressure and an increase in protein in your urine. You can also develop edema, or swelling in your skin. The only treatment for this condition is the delivery of your child.
Dr. Fozouni can determine whether your pregnancy is a high-risk or not during your initial evaluation and a review of your personal and family medical history.
May be a one-time situation
If your first pregnancy is considered high-risk, put your fears aside that all other pregnancies will be classified the same way.
Over time, your existing health issues can change, and Dr. Fozouni is skilled in tracking these changes as they relate to your pregnancy. You can expect an individual evaluation during each pregnancy to assess your risk factors.
In some cases, such as with preterm delivery, you may be at increased risk for having another preterm birth with additional pregnancies, but it isn’t a guarantee.
What to expect during high-risk pregnancy care
Every high-risk pregnancy is unique, and Dr. Fozouni can evaluate exactly what you need up to and including childbirth. Some high-risk pregnancy services you can expect to receive include:
- Amniotic fluid testing
- Specialized ultrasounds
- Umbilical cord testing
You may also need to schedule routine checkups more often than those with a low-risk pregnancy.
Goals of managing a high-risk pregnancy
The primary goal of helping you through a high-risk pregnancy is to ensure the optimal health of both you and your baby, seeing you through to a successful delivery.
Before childbirth, Dr. Fozouni can work with you on your diet and daily exercise plan to ensure you’re strong and healthy leading up to delivery. He can also help you maintain a healthy weight and prevent additional complications that being overweight can cause during a pregnancy.
Your active participation in prenatal care will go a long way to ensure your risk factors are kept under control, and you enjoy a healthy and happy pregnancy and delivery experience.
If you have concerns about your current pregnancy or had complications in the past, don’t delay a consultation with Dr. Fozouni today. You can schedule a prenatal appointment by phone or by requesting one online today.
English
Arabic
Chinese (Simplified)
Dutch
French
German
Italian
Portuguese
Russian
Spanish