High-Risk Pregnancies

The management of high-risk pregnancies is completely different from that of normal pregnancies. Risks during pregnancy can be maternal, placental, fetal, or related to delivery. They may be present before pregnancy or may arise at any stage of pregnancy, during delivery, or after delivery.

Examples of Current Risks in the Mother-to-Be

Pregnancies under the age of 18

Pregnancies over the age of 35

Overweight or underweight pregnancies

Couples with a history of consanguinity

Patients who have undergone major surgery

Pregnant women with pre-existing conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, epilepsy, thyroid disorders, or other medical conditions are classified as high-risk pregnancies.

Examples of Risks from Previous Pregnancies

Pregnant women with a history of miscarriage or recurrent pregnancy loss

Pregnant women who have had a preterm birth (before 28 weeks)

Pregnant women who have experienced preeclampsia (pregnancy-induced hypertension)

Pregnant women who have given birth to an extremely low birth weight baby (premature)

Pregnant women who have given birth to an extremely high birth weight baby (macrosomia)

Pregnant women who have lost a baby in the last three months of pregnancy (intrauterine fetal loss)

Pregnant women who experienced excessive bleeding during childbirth (postpartum hemorrhage)

Pregnant women who have experienced uterine rupture

Pregnant women who have undergone myomectomy

Pregnant women who have undergone uterine curettage

Pregnant women who have experienced ectopic pregnancy

Examples of Risks from the Current Pregnancy

Pregnant women at risk of miscarriage and bleeding

Pregnant women with twin or triplet (multiple) pregnancies

Pregnant women with risk factors identified in screening tests

Pregnant women requiring diagnostic testing

Pregnant women requiring in-utero treatment

Situations requiring blood transfusion for the baby

Treatment of fetal infections (intrauterine infections)

Pregnant women with cervical insufficiency

Pregnant women at risk of premature birth

Pregnant women with uterine fibroids

Pregnant women with hypertension

Pregnant women with fetal growth restriction (fetal growth restriction)

Pregnant women with low amniotic fluid (oligohydramnios)

Pregnant women with excessive amniotic fluid (polyhydramnios)

Pregnant women with other potential risk factors

Pregnant women with fetal risks

Babies with identified anomalies

Babies who have had an illness during pregnancy

Babies with abnormal uterine positioning

Patients with risks related to childbirth

Procedures performed in cases of placenta previa (placenta previa)

Cases where the placenta is abnormally attached to the uterine wall (placenta accreta)

Pregnant women at risk of bleeding during childbirth

Pregnant women at risk of uterine rupture during childbirth

Twins or triplets

Pregnant women with a history of complications during a previous normal vaginal delivery or cesarean section

Knowledge and experience are very important in the management of high-risk pregnancies. Your doctor can manage these risks, but in necessary cases, follow-up by a perinatologist is required, and patients may be referred to a perinatologist. Your doctor will inform you about this.

Who is a Perinatologist?

A perinatologist, also known as a perinatologist, is an obstetrician and gynecologist who has completed specialized training in perinatology (high-risk pregnancy care) after obtaining their medical degree.

During this three-year advanced specialty training, they enhance their knowledge and expertise in the diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment of high-risk pregnancies. Upon completion of the three-year program, they earn the title of high-risk pregnancy specialist, or perinatologist.