High-Risk Pregnancy

If you’ve been diagnosed with a high-risk pregnancy, don’t panic. At her practice in Beverly Hills, California, board-certified OB/GYN Lia LaBrant, MD, FACOG, provides compassionate, customized care throughout your pregnancy to help you and your baby stay healthy and safe. If you’re looking for an OB/GYN with experience in high-risk pregnancies, call Lia LaBrant, MD, or schedule a consultation online today.

What is a high-risk pregnancy?

A high-risk pregnancy is a pregnancy with an increased chance of complications. Most high-risk pregnancies progress normally, with both mother and baby staying safe and healthy through delivery. 

If pregnancy has been diagnosed as a high-risk pregnancy, that means that your OB/GYN will likely run more tests. You’ll also need more frequent prenatal checkups so your OB/GYN can keep a close eye on your health and the health of your baby.

What causes a high-risk pregnancy?

A wide range of factors can make a pregnancy high-risk. Age is one of the most common indicators. Any mother-to-be 35 or older, even if she’s had babies before, is considered high-risk. Other situations that are deemed high-risk include:

• Carrying multiple babies
• Being overweight or obese
• Having high blood pressure
• Having pre-existing or gestational diabetes
• Having thyroid disease
• Having a kidney disease like preeclampsia

If you smoke, use drugs, or abuse alcohol, your pregnancy will be classified as high-risk.

How is prenatal care different for a high-risk pregnancy?

Dr. LaBrant provides customized prenatal care. If your pregnancy is high-risk, you’ll need to have more frequent prenatal appointments. 

For example, instead of seeing Dr. LaBrant once a month for the first 28 weeks of your pregnancy, you’ll need biweekly or even weekly appointments.

Dr. LaBrant could also recommend additional prenatal testing and genetic screening. You might need to have more frequent ultrasounds to measure your cervical length or your baby’s growth. Dr. LaBrant could order additional tests, such as:

• Amniocentesis — a test of amniotic fluid to screen
• Chorionic villus sampling — a test of placenta cells
• Cordocentesis — a test of the baby’s blood extracted from the umbilical cord

These tests provide additional screening for genetic disorders, blood diseases, and other issues that could lead to complications during your pregnancy and delivery.

What are the signs of pregnancy complications?

Dr. LaBrant provides care to keep both you and your baby healthy and safe. However, if you notice any of the following symptoms, call Dr. LaBrant right away for instructions on whether to come into the office or go to your nearest emergency room:

• Vaginal bleeding
• Severe headache
• Lower abdominal pain
• Watery vaginal discharge
• Contractions
• Decreased movement
• Blurry vision

Dr. LaBrant is committed to helping you have a safe and healthy pregnancy.

If you’re looking for expert, compassionate care for a high-risk pregnancy, call or schedule an appointment online today.