High-Risk Pregnancy Services

What are high-risk pregnancy services?

A pregnancy can be classified as high-risk if the mother has pre-existing health issues such as diabetes, high blood pressure, epilepsy, anemia, kidney disease, polycystic ovary syndrome, obesity or a family history of health issues. Other factors include if the mother is 35 years or older and if it is a multiple pregnancy.

These conditions can put greater pressure on both mother and baby, so extra medical care and increased monitoring by an obstetrician and the mother’s medical team is required to ensure a successful pregnancy and birth. This usually means high-risk pregnancy services, such as additional prenatal testing and more regular checkups, are ideal.

What high-risk pregnancy services are provided to women and families?

High-risk pregnancies require a greater level of care in management and monitoring. In general this means more regular appointments to monitor the health and well-being of the mother, and the health and development of the baby. In most cases, additional prenatal screening is usually required to screen for congenital disorders or defects.

When should you see an obstetrician for high risk pregnancy services?

Once your pregnancy has been identified as high-risk, your primary doctor will refer you to an obstetrician, who will be able to provide you with the specialised care you require. Your specialist works with a team of health professionals to ensure you receive the best care possible and that you and your baby have the best possible outcome.

Your obstetrician will create a pregnancy care plan for you and explain the details. Do not hesitate to ask questions or voice your concerns. If something is worrying you, or you are unsure, it is important to raise it with your specialist and medical care team.

Did you know?

Antenatal depression and anxiety are often present in high-risk pregnant women. ¹

How can you maintain or improve your reproductive health?

A high-risk pregnancy can be stressful and emotionally challenging. The mother’s physical and mental health is often negatively impacted by this emotional stress. It is therefore essential that you have a good support network of friends, family, and medical professionals. Your specialist will advise you on how to remain healthy and positive, but keep in mind the following tips:

– Maintain a healthy diet including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, calcium-rich foods, and foods low in saturated fat.
– Drink plenty of fluids, especially water.
– Avoid alcohol, cigarettes, or any other drugs.
– Avoid any harmful chemicals or fumes.
– Maintain a healthy weight.
– Avoid/manage stress.
– Get enough rest/sleep.
– Stay in regular contact with your doctor; don’t be afraid to ask questions.

What facilities and technologies do specialists use for high-risk pregnancy services?

To provide the best patient care and recovery results for our patients, our specialists perform leading-edge prenatal screening in order to diagnose and monitor any potential defect or concern.

Our specialists also research and adapt the latest techniques such as:

– Fetal anomaly scan (an ultrasound that provides a thorough examination of the fetal structures).
– Amniocentesis (amniotic fluid test to diagnose chromosomal abnormalities).
– Chorionic villus sampling (placenta test to diagnose genetic disorders).
– Fetal blood sampling (test of the fetal umbilical cord to detect chromosomal disorders, genetic diseases and viral infections.
– Fetal echocardiogram (a thorough examination of the heart structure and blood flow).

Our prenatal diagnostic evaluation and treatment is offered in a caring and nurturing environment by our dedicated team of medical professionals.

[1] Thiagayson P, Krishnaswamy G, Lim ML, Sung SC, Haley CL, Fung DS, Allen JC Jr, Chen H. Depression and anxiety in Singaporean high-risk pregnancies – prevalence and screening. Gen Hosp Psychiatry. 2013 Mar-Apr;35(2):112-6. doi: 10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2012.11.006.