High Risk Pregnancy Specialist

What is a high-risk pregnancy?

A high-risk pregnancy is one where your health or the health of your baby may be at risk. Dr. Harrison may deem your pregnancy high risk if you’re over age 35 and this is your first pregnancy. Other factors that may make a pregnancy high risk include: 

• Obesity
• Recurrent pregnancy loss
• Previous preterm birth
• Preeclampsia and eclampsia
• High blood pressure 
• Diabetes
• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
• Kidney disease
• Thyroid disease
• Autoimmune disease

Carrying multiples also makes your pregnancy high risk. 

Being labeled high risk doesn't mean you can't have a healthy pregnancy. It just means that Dr. Harrison carefully monitors your health and the health of your growing baby or babies to promote the best possible outcome. 

What happens during a high-risk pregnancy?

Expect to see Dr. Harrison more often for prenatal care and monitoring than women whose pregnancies aren't high risk. She recommends screenings throughout your pregnancy, such as ultrasounds and blood tests, to assess your health and your baby’s growth and development. 

She works closely with you on healthy habits to help prevent complications like gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, or preterm birth. 

What is recurrent pregnancy loss?

Having one miscarriage is unfortunately common, but only 1% of women experience the heartbreak of repeated miscarriages. 

Recurrent pregnancy loss is when you have two or more miscarriages. After three repeated miscarriages, Dr. Harrison recommends coming in for a thorough physical exam and testing. 

Why do repeated miscarriages happen?

About 60% of miscarriages occur due to chromosomal abnormalities during fertilization. This type of genetic problem isn’t related to an underlying medical condition and happens by chance. 

Chromosomal issues become more common in the pregnancies of older women. However, in 50-75% of repeated miscarriages, doctors cannot pinpoint a precise cause for the loss. Still, they may have clues about the nature of the problem.

What tests do I need for recurrent pregnancy loss?

Dr. Harrison asks you about your medical history and past pregnancies to help find the cause of repeated miscarriages. She typically performs a complete physical exam, including a pelvic exam. 

To detect genetic causes for repeated miscarriages, Dr. Harrison recommends blood tests to identify issues with your immune system. You may need imaging tests to determine whether the miscarriages are due to a uterine problem.

Count on Dr. Harrison, a board-certified obstetrician, to provide the expert care you and your growing baby deserve. Call Sovereign Women's Healthcare today or book online for prenatal care for a high-risk pregnancy.