High-Risk Pregnancy

Find expert care from maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) doctors at PIH Health’s Perinatal Center if you or your baby is at risk of complications during pregnancy or birth.

What Makes a High-Risk Pregnancy?

Your doctor will want to provide close monitoring and additional care during pregnancy and childbirth if you:

  • Are 35 or older
  • Have abnormal results from an ultrasound or other tests
  • Are expecting twins or other multiples
  • Experience preterm labor
  • Have medical conditions that develop or worsen during pregnancy, including gestational diabetes and high blood pressure
  • Have existing medical conditions, such as heart disease or diabetes, that require special care during pregnancy

Expert High-Risk Pregnancy Care

If you have a high-risk pregnancy, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist, or perinatologist, may join your care team. Maternal-fetal medicine specialists are obstetricians with additional training in the diagnosis and care of complicated pregnancies. Neonatologists are also available to answer your questions in regards to the care of the infant after delivery. 

Special Care for You

Get access to the care you need to help you deliver a healthy baby. You may have:

  • Specialized prenatal care and testing, including detailed ultrasound, amniocentesis and nonstress tests
  • Help managing high-risk medical conditions
  • Diabetes management, including our Sweet Success program to recommend ways to manage diabetes before or during pregnancy
  • Nutritional counseling to help you get the nourishment you need to support good health for you and your baby
  • Genetic counseling if you have a family history of genetic conditions or if your baby may have a birth defect or genetic condition

Care Coordination

A neonatologist is available for consultation with the obstetrician 24 hours a day. The maternal fetal medicine physician will help manage any maternal and fetal complications during pregnancy, while a neonatal team specializing in acute care for newborns attends all high-risk deliveries. 

Special Care for Your Baby

If your baby needs additional medical attention and monitoring after birth, rely on our neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). You’ll find supportive care for your baby and your family 24 hours a day.