|
|
|
Factors Linked to High-Risk Pregnancy
Posted: Jan. 1, 2007
All pregnancies involve a certain degree of risk to both mother and baby, but factors present before pregnancy can place the mother and baby at higher risk for problems.
Factors present before pregnancy that can increase risk may include:
- Young or old maternal age
- Being overweight or underweight
- Having had problems in previous pregnancies, such as miscarriage, stillbirth or preterm labor or birth
- Pre-existing health conditions, such as high blood pressure, diabetes or HIV/AIDS
Who’s at risk for gestational diabetes?
Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that only pregnant women get. According to the American Diabetes Association, you're considered at high risk for this condition (and should be screened early for this) if:
- You're obese (your body mass index is over 30)
- You have a history of gestational diabetes (you've had the condition in a previous pregnancy)
- You have a strong family history of diabetes
Some practitioners will also screen you early if:
- You're found to have sugar in your urine (your urine is tested at each prenatal visit)
- You've previously given birth to a big baby
- You've had an unexplained stillbirth
- You've had a baby with a birth defect
- You have high blood pressure
Keep in mind that many women who develop gestational diabetes don't have any risk factors. That's why most practitioners will order the screening for all their pregnant patients at 24 to 28 weeks into the pregnancy.
Source: National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
We Have Answers
Do you have medical questions or need help finding a doctor? The experts at Columbia St.Mary’s can help. Click here.
|
Get the Facts
