Monitoring High-Risk Pregnancy in Arizona

A high-risk pregnancy is one in which the health of the mother or the child is at risk. Some high-risk pregnancies progress without complications. Others involve serious threats to the health of the mother, the child, or both. Regular prenatal care is essential for women with high-risk pregnancies and may include monitoring and treatment by multiple health care providers. 

At Dignity Health of Arizona, our doctors have the experience and technology you can trust for a high-risk pregnancy. Both Chandler Regional Medical Center and St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center have neonatal intensive care units, so you can rest assured that you and your baby are in good hands. For more information about high-risk pregnancy in Arizona, Find a Doctor online. 

Causes of High-Risk Pregnancy

There are several reasons why a pregnancy may be considered high-risk. Risk factors for pregnancy complications include:

  • Pre-existing medical conditions, including diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney disease, thyroid disease, autoimmune diseases (s)uch as lupus or multiple sclerosis, obesity, epilepsy, HIV, and anemia
  • Being a teenager
  • Being older than 35 (especially first-time moms older than 35) 
  • Drug and alcohol use
  • Smoking
  • Being pregnant with more than one baby
  • Gestational diabetes
  • Preeclampsia and eclampsia 

Prevention & Treatment of High-Risk Pregnancy at Dignity Health

Women who use illegal drugs, smoke, or regularly drink alcohol can decrease risk to their pregnancies by discontinuing the use of these substances. Women with pre-existing medical conditions should work with their physicians to keep those conditions under control throughout pregnancy. Women who develop risk factors during their pregnancies — such as gestational diabetes — should follow their prescribed treatment plans. Maintaining excellent overall health can decrease your risk of problems during pregnancy. 

Dignity Health can help patients find the support and treatment they need for high-risk pregnancy in Arizona.