Specialized Care for High-Risk Pregnancies

What Is a High-Risk Pregnancy? Understanding Specialized Care for Moms and Babies

Out of the nearly four million babies born in the United States each year, about 10% of pregnancies are considered high risk. When a pregnancy is classified as high risk, physicians provide closer monitoring and specialized care to help ensure the healthiest possible outcome for both mother and baby.

Some women enter pregnancy with existing medical conditions that increase risk, while others develop complications during pregnancy that require additional attention and expertise.

What Makes a Pregnancy High Risk?

A pregnancy may be considered high risk for a variety of reasons, including certain maternal health conditions, pregnancy complications, or concerns about the baby's development.

Pre-Existing Health Conditions

Certain health issues present before pregnancy can increase the risk of complications, including:

• Diabetes
• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• Obesity
• Epilepsy

Lifestyle Factors

Certain lifestyle choices may also increase pregnancy risks, such as:

• Tobacco use
• Alcohol consumption
• Illegal drug use

Age-Related Risks

Pregnancy may be considered higher risk when the mother is:

• Younger than 17 years old
• Older than 35 years old

Pregnancy and Fetal Complications

Other factors that can make a pregnancy high risk include:

• Multiple babies (twins, triplets, or higher-order multiples)
• Multiple prior miscarriages
• Genetic conditions diagnosed during pregnancy
• Poor fetal growth
• Physical birth defects or malformations
• Preterm labor
• Pre-eclampsia
• Placenta complications, including abnormal placental positioning
• Previous cesarean section with placental concerns
• Problems experienced during a previous pregnancy

What Is a Maternal-Fetal Medicine Specialist?

If a pregnancy is considered high risk, a mother will typically receive care from a maternal-fetal medicine specialist, also known as a perinatologist.

Maternal-fetal medicine specialists are obstetricians who complete an additional three years of specialized training focused on managing complex and high-risk pregnancies.

How Maternal-Fetal Medicine Specialists Help

These specialists play a critical role throughout pregnancy by:

• Managing maternal health conditions
• Performing specialized tests and procedures
• Diagnosing and managing birth defects and genetic disorders
• Monitoring labor and delivery
• Overseeing complex births
• Coordinating care for both mother and baby

Advanced High-Risk Pregnancy Care at Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital

The Cherese Mari Laulhere BirthCare Center at MemorialCare Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital has earned a Level IV maternity designation from the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

What Does a Level IV Maternity Designation Mean?

A Level IV maternity center has the capabilities and specialists necessary to care for the most:

• Critical
• Complex
• Fragile
• High-risk pregnancies

This designation represents the highest level of maternity care available.

Expert Care Available 24/7

At Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital, maternal-fetal medicine specialists are available in-house 24 hours a day, seven days a week to manage complex maternal and fetal conditions.

Comprehensive Care Under One Roof

The care team provides:

• Advanced maternity care
• High-risk pregnancy management
• Specialized fetal care
• Assistance during labor and delivery
• Support for vaginal deliveries whenever possible

If a newborn requires immediate medical attention after birth, the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is located just down the hall from the BirthCare Center.

Unlike hospitals that may need to transport newborns to another facility for specialized care, Miller Children’s & Women’s allows moms and babies to receive expert care in the same hospital, helping families stay together during a critical time.

Why Location Matters for High-Risk Pregnancies

Choosing a hospital equipped to handle high-risk pregnancies can make a significant difference for both mother and baby.

Benefits of Specialized Maternal and Neonatal Care

At a hospital with advanced maternity and NICU services, families benefit from:

• Immediate access to maternal-fetal medicine specialists
• Advanced care for pregnancy complications
• Seamless coordination between maternity and neonatal teams
• Reduced need for newborn transfers
• The ability for mothers and babies to remain close together after birth

High-Risk Pregnancy Care You Can Trust

High-risk pregnancies require specialized expertise, advanced technology, and coordinated care. At Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital, mothers and babies have access to comprehensive maternity and neonatal services under one roof, providing peace of mind during even the most complex pregnancies.

Learn more about the specialists available for expert mother and baby care under one roof at Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital.