Medically reviewed by Olivia Grubman, MD
Hearing the words “high-risk pregnancy” can be unsettling. For many expectant parents, the phrase raises immediate questions: What comes next? Who will be involved? Is everything going to be okay?
A high-risk designation is your care team’s cue to watch more closely. It means your care team has identified factors that warrant additional monitoring, advanced expertise and a more personalized plan, all aimed at the same goal as any pregnancy, which is a healthy mom and a healthy baby.
At WMCHealth, that closer attention takes the form of a dedicated perinatal care team. As home to the Hudson Valley’s only Level IV Regional Perinatal Center, Westchester Medical Center brings together maternal-fetal medicine specialists, neonatologists, advanced imaging experts and pediatric subspecialists who collaborate on the most complex pregnancies in the region.
What Makes a Pregnancy High-Risk
A pregnancy may be considered high-risk for many reasons. Some factors are present before conception; others develop along the way. Common reasons for a referral include:
- Pre-existing conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure or autoimmune disorders
- Maternal age over 35
- Carrying twins, triplets or more
- A history of preterm labor, preeclampsia or pregnancy loss
- Conditions that develop during pregnancy, such as gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, or fetal growth restriction
- Findings on prenatal screening or ultrasound that need further evaluation
Many patients referred for perinatal care are otherwise healthy. A referral does not predict the outcome of the pregnancy. It opens the door to a deeper level of expertise.
Who’s on the Team
A perinatal care team is built around the idea that complex pregnancies benefit from many specialists working under one coordinated plan. The core members typically include:
- Maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) specialists, also called perinatologists, who lead the medical management of the pregnancy
- Advanced ultrasound and imaging specialists who perform detailed scans, fetal echocardiograms and fetal MRIs when needed
- Genetic counselors who help families interpret results and understand testing options
- Neonatologists and pediatric subspecialists who plan for any care the baby may need at birth
- Specialized nurses, social workers and care coordinators who support families through scheduling, education and emotional needs
What to Expect at Your First Visit
A first visit with a perinatal team is typically longer than a routine OB/GYN appointment. You can expect a thorough review of your medical and pregnancy history, a detailed ultrasound, a discussion of any results that prompted the referral and a proposed monitoring plan for the rest of your pregnancy. Most importantly, you’ll have time to ask questions and talk through what the findings mean.
Ongoing Care and Delivery Planning
Pregnancies under perinatal care usually involve more frequent appointments. Ongoing care often includes serial ultrasounds to track growth and well-being of your baby, specialized imaging when needed and close monitoring of maternal health. Throughout, your perinatal team works in coordination with your regular OB/GYN.
One of the most valuable aspects of perinatal care is that delivery. This allows specialists to be present with a clear plan for the baby’s care immediately after birth. For families whose newborns may need specialized care, WMCHealth’s integrated network, including Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital, means advanced pediatric services are available on the same campus.
A Higher Level of Care, Close to Home
A high-risk diagnosis is rarely the news anyone hopes for. The path forward is one walked alongside specialists whose focus is helping families navigate exactly this kind of complexity, with compassionate, coordinated care across the Hudson Valley.
In Valhalla, Westchester Medical Center and Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital about the Ronald McDonald House, which provides a “home away from home.” The Ronald McDonald House offers housing, meals and supportive resources so families can stay close to their loved ones during medical care. Visit Ronald McDonald House Westchester to learn more.
To learn more or schedule an appointment with a WMCHealth maternal-fetal medicine specialist, visit our website or call 914.493.7000.