High-risk pregnancy results when the expecting mother and/or the growing baby develop a condition(s) that places them at higher-than-normal risk for complications during pregnancy. Expecting moms and their babies may be at high risk if:
- You will be 35 years of age or older when you conceive
- You are younger than 15 when you conceive
- You have had a child with birth defects
- You have a family history of birth defects
- You have a history of complications with prior pregnancies
- You have a serious medical condition (e.g., high blood pressure, insulin-dependent (Type I) diabetes, cancer or heart disease)
- You have inflammatory bowel disease or auto-immune disorders
If you have one or more of the above risk factors, we encourage you to speak with your primary care doctor or obstetrician/gynecologist (OB/GYN) about high-risk pregnancy and a possible referral to a maternal-fetal specialist.
