Complex Pregnancy

A complex, or high-risk, pregnancy is one in which you, your baby or both of you need closer attention than usual. Most women with a complex pregnancy go on to have a healthy baby. What changes is how carefully the pregnancy is watched and how early problems are found and treated.

What can make a pregnancy complex

Some risks are known before you conceive. Others appear along the way. Common reasons include:

• A health condition you already have, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, thyroid disease, kidney disease or an autoimmune condition
• Being pregnant with twins or more
• A history of miscarriage, preterm birth or complications in an earlier pregnancy
• Conditions that develop during pregnancy, such as gestational diabetes, preeclampsia or problems with the placenta
• Findings on ultrasound or screening tests that need follow-up
• Maternal age of 35 or older

How we care for you

Your physician builds a plan around your situation and explains the reasoning behind it. Depending on your needs, the plan may include more frequent visits, additional ultrasounds to follow your baby's growth, extra blood tests, monitoring of your blood pressure or blood sugar at home, and medication when it is needed.

When a pregnancy calls for subspecialty input, we coordinate your care with maternal-fetal medicine specialists and other consultants, and we stay your primary obstetricians throughout. Our physicians deliver at Lenox Hill Hospital, a full-service hospital equipped for complex deliveries and newborn intensive care.

Planning ahead

If you have a medical condition and are thinking about becoming pregnant, a visit before you conceive is one of the most useful steps you can take. We review your health and medications and make any changes that will give you and your baby the safest start.

When to call us

Call right away for bleeding, severe pain, a severe headache or changes in vision, sudden swelling, leaking fluid, contractions before 37 weeks or a decrease in your baby's movement.

Visiting Lenox OBGYN

Our office is at 203 East 62nd Street, New York, NY 10065, on Manhattan's Upper East Side. Most of our patients come to us from across the tri-state area, and many travel from other states and from abroad for their care. To make an appointment, use the booking button on this page or call 917-688-2624.

This page offers general information and is not medical advice. Your physician will advise you about your own situation.