High Risk Pregnancy Specialist

What are the most common causes of high risk pregnancy?

Any condition or habit that increases the likelihood of complications during pregnancy, either for the mother or baby or both, is considered a high risk pregnancy. As a result, there can be many causes, some of which can occur during pregnancy. Some of the most common include:

• smoking

• alcohol or drug abuse

• older maternal age

• obesity

• high-blood pressure before pregnancy or developing during pregnancy

• diabetes before pregnancy or developing during pregnancy

• problems with the uterus

• genetic issues

• medical conditions

• being pregnant with multiple babies

• having had several earlier miscarriages

How are high risk pregnancies treated?

Dr. Chang is experienced in helping women with high risk pregnancies reduce the risks to them and to their developing babies. Depending on the type of risk, he may order special tests to evaluate the health of both the mother and the baby, provide guidance to help reduce risks, and require more frequent office visits during pregnancy to help ensure optimal health is maintained all the way through delivery.

Does a high risk pregnancy mean I'll need a C-section?

Not necessarily; many women with high risk pregnancies can still have safe vaginal deliveries. Dr. Chang will be able to determined if your risk increases the likelihood you'll need a C-section as you get closer to your due date.

What is gestational diabetes?

Gestational diabetes occurs when your blood sugar rises during pregnancy even though you did not have diabetes prior to becoming pregnant. It usually occurs after the 24th week of pregnancy, and it can place you and your baby at higher risk for complications like premature delivery or excessive birth weight or respiratory distress syndrome in the baby. It can also place you and your baby at higher risk for type II diabetes later in life.