Understanding High-Risk Pregnancy: A Patient's Guide to Prenatal Complications

A compassionate and insightful guide to understanding high-risk pregnancies.

In the United States, millions of people experience the life-changing event of pregnancy every year, but for nearly one-third of them, the journey comes with heightened risks. In this compassionate guide, obstetrician-gynecologist Alan M. Peaceman, MD, explores the complexities of high-risk pregnancies with the empathy and clarity that every expectant parent deserves.

With over thirty years of experience treating patients with high-risk pregnancies, Dr. Peacemen explains:
- What constitutes a high-risk pregnancy and how to identify key factors that make one more likely
- The potential negative and positive effects of medication use during pregnancy, with a focus on essential drugs for managing chronic conditions
- How to address anxiety, depression, and the increased likelihood of postpartum depression for women with preexisting mental health conditions
- The challenges associated with advanced maternal age, including genetic testing and increased monitoring
- How to deal with preexisting health issues such as hypertension, diabetes, thyroid disorders, and autoimmune diseases.
- How the baby can be evaluated for genetic and structural abnormalities
- How to identify and treat pregnancy complications, including preeclampsia, preterm birth, and placental problems
- Special considerations and strategies for handling complicated twin and triplet pregnancies
- The cause, evaluation, and clinical management of each high-risk condition

This companion for expectant parents and their families provides essential knowledge and guidance on how to make informed choices while working collaboratively with health care providers.