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A high-risk pregnancy needs careful monitoring, planning, and experienced obstetric care. Getting the right care throughout your pregnancy helps you navigate every milestone with clarity and peace of mind.
While the majority of pregnancies go smoothly, a few require extra care and closer monitoring to safeguard the health of both mom and baby. A pregnancy is considered high risk when there are certain existing health conditions, pregnancy-related complications, or concerns that develop during pregnancy.
At the Coral Springs, Florida, OB-GYN practice of Alan B. Patterson, MD, Dr. Patterson provides exceptional high-risk pregnancy care. Patients can expect highly individualized pregnancy and delivery care with close observation throughout pregnancy.
Dr. Patterson has delivered over 6,500 babies across high and low-risk pregnancies. His comprehensive, one-on-one approach allows him to monitor your health carefully, identify potential concerns, and develop a plan tailored to your pregnancy needs.
What makes a pregnancy high risk?
Having a pregnancy labeled “high risk” doesn't mean complications are inevitable. It means our team will monitor you more closely and provide extra support to keep you and your baby safe. Several factors can give rise to a high-risk pregnancy, including:
- Advanced maternal age (pregnancy after 35)
- Having high blood pressure or diabetes
- Previous pregnancy complications
- Previous miscarriage or preterm birth
- Carrying multiples (e.g., twins, triplets)
- Certain uterine or reproductive conditions
- Complications that develop during the current pregnancy
- Complications that happen after you have delivered, like post partum hemorrhage
Your personal health history and current pregnancy needs guide the tailored level of care and testing you can expect to receive.
Recognizing the importance of closer monitoring
Expectant mothers with high-risk pregnancies typically need extra prenatal visits and specialized monitoring compared to standard care. Regular monitoring gives Dr. Patterson the opportunity to track your health and your baby’s development while identifying changes that may require attention.
Depending on your individual needs, your pregnancy care may include:
- More frequent prenatal examinations
- Blood pressure and other maternal health monitoring
- Routine laboratory testing
- More frequent ultrasound imaging
- Monitoring fetal growth and development
- Evaluation of pregnancy-related symptoms
- Careful planning for labor and delivery
Dr. Patterson takes the time to clarify why specific tests are recommended or needed, as well as what the results mean. Our goal is to keep you feeling supported and help make a complex pregnancy feel more manageable.
Managing complications during pregnancy
Some high-risk pregnancies encounter complications due to conditions that develop after conception. Gestational diabetes, high blood pressure, preeclampsia, abnormal fetal growth, and other concerns can require additional observation and treatment.
Prompt evaluation matters when new symptoms develop. Severe headache, vision changes, significant swelling, vaginal bleeding, abdominal pain, fluid leakage, or decreased fetal movement require immediate medical attention.
Dr. Patterson evaluates concerns carefully and determines the appropriate next steps based on your symptoms, medical history, and stage of pregnancy. And all of Dr Patterson’s patients see a board certified Perinatology doctor for your later ultrasounds, and that doctor helps Dr Patterson manage anyone who develops any type of high risk problem during their pregnancy, but Dr Patterson is ALWAYS the one who will deliver his patients.
Planning for a safe delivery
Precise delivery planning is essential if pregnancy complications put your labor or your baby’s health at risk. Dr. Patterson considers your individual circumstances when developing a delivery plan, including your pregnancy history, current health, fetal development, and any complications that have emerged.
Having continuity of care throughout pregnancy also means Dr. Patterson knows your history when it’s time to deliver. Rather than rotating between multiple physicians, obstetric patients receive one-on-one care from Dr. Patterson from the beginning of pregnancy through delivery and postpartum follow-up.
Experienced, personalized high-risk pregnancy care
A high-risk pregnancy can bring additional appointments, testing, and decisions, but experienced obstetric care provides the guidance you need throughout the process.
If you have a high-risk pregnancy or concerns about complications, schedule an appointment with Alan B. Patterson, MD, here in Coral Springs, Florida. Dr. Patterson and our experienced team can provide attentive maternity care focused on your health, pregnancy, and delivery.