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.
Alan M. Peaceman, MD, is an obstetrician-gynecologist at the Prentice Women's Hospital of Northwestern Medicine and professor emeritus of obstetrics and gynecology at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.
Introduction Part I: Background on High-Risk Pregnancies 1. High-Risk Pregnancy Basics 2. Issues that Can Affect Pregnancy Outcomes 3. Increased Risks in Black Women Part II: Early Pregnancy Issues 4. Preparing for Pregnancy and the First Trimester 5. Miscarriage Part III: Maternal Conditions 6. Hypertension 7. Diabetes 8. Thyroid Disease 9. Autoimmune Disorders: Lupus, Antiphospholipid Antibodies 10. Heart Disease 11. Kidney Disease 12. Blood Clots (Pulmonary Embolism, Deep Venous Thrombosis) 13. Uterine Anomalies and Fibroids 14. Cancer and Pregnancy Part IV: Fetal Conditions 15. Birth Defects 16. Genetic Abnormalities 17. Fetal Cardiac Arrhythmias 18. Fetal Growth Restriction 19. Congenital Infections 20. Hydrops Fetalis Part V: Pregnancy conditions 21. Preterm Birth 22. Preeclampsia 23. Placental Abruption/Placenta Previa/Placenta Accreta 24. Stillbirth 25. Blood Group Isoimmunization 26. Cervical Insufficiency 27. Multiple Gestation Part VI: Conclusions Part VII: Resources Part VIII: Glossary Part IX: Index
A compassionate and insightful guide to understanding high-risk pregnancies.
