Maternity Services

There are many reasons a woman may be considered at higher risk of complications during pregnancy. Fortunately, women who need special care can receive it from High Risk Obstetrics at Yale-New Haven Hospital. This program combines the expertise of both Yale-New Haven Hospital and Yale School of Medicine. Perinatologists--obstetricians with special training in the management of high risk pregnancies--are available to answer your questions and give you complete care throughout your pregnancy.

Having a baby after 35
More and more women are choosing to postpone having babies until they are 30, 35 or even 40. Many women enjoy being more established in their careers and now feel ready for a child. That choice does have some consequences. It is harder to conceive a baby at a later age, and women over 35 are more likely to have complications during their pregnancy. You'll be glad our High Risk Obstetrics service is available to give you complete care during your pregnancy.

Having diabetes
Not that long ago, women with diabetes often chose not to have children for fear of endangering their own lives. Now, close monitoring through the services of Yale-New Haven Hospital and your physician allow women with diabetes to get pregnant and deliver normal healthy babies. You should see your physician before you get pregnant to make sure your diabetes is well under control. Your need for insulin during your pregnancy may decrease in early pregnancy, but will usually rise and change toward the end. It is vital that you monitor your blood sugar levels frequently, as advised by your physician. To make an appointment with the Yale Diabetes Management Program, call (203) 688-3521.

Past miscarriages
If you have had two or more miscarriages, your condition may warrant further investigation by the experienced physicians at the Recurrent Pregnancy Loss Service.

High blood pressure
Toward the end of pregnancy, for unknown reasons, some women develop high blood pressure. Sometimes, the rise in blood pressure is mild, and changes in diet (like eating less salt and drinking plenty of water) can help control it. Other times, it can be more severe and lead to toxemia, also called preeclampsia. Your physician and Yale-New Haven Hospital are experienced in managing high blood pressure during pregnancy and will work with you.

If you are pregnant, have high blood pressure and notice sudden swelling of your hands or face, weight gain or blurry vision, call your health care provider right away.

Expecting more than one baby
With more women relying on fertility services to help them become pregnant, having more than one baby at a time is no longer that rare. The High Risk Obstetrics service at Yale-New Haven offers complete care for you, from ultrasound monitoring to other procedures that help you deliver your baby as close to term as possible. If you do deliver early, the Newborn Special Care Unit offers world-class care for premature infants.

Rh factor
Rh disease can occur when a pregnant woman who has an Rh-negative blood type carries a baby with Rh-positive blood. The woman's body senses the difference and develops antibodies to "fight" the different type blood. Since the antibodies are almost never formed until late in the pregnancy, the pregnancy in which the antibodies are formed is usually not at risk, but subsequent babies may be. In future pregnancies, an Rh-positive baby could be at risk of severe anemia during pregnancy. The anti-Rh antibodies will go from the mother through the placenta and into the baby's bloodstream, where they can destroy the baby's red blood cells. However, a medication called RhoGam is available. The RhoGam destroys the fetal cells before they can "signal" the mother's body to form antibodies to the Rh factor on the fetal cells.

Preeclampsia or toxemia
Preeclampsia, also called toxemia, is a serious condition that can develop about halfway through pregnancy, between the 20th and 24th weeks. It is a combination of high blood pressure, swelling, sudden weight gain of greater than one pound per day, changes in your muscles and the presence of protein in the urine. You may also have a headache, nausea, abdominal pain and blurry vision. You are more likely to have preeclampsia if you had high blood pressure before pregnancy, diabetes, kidney disease or poor nutrition.

In rare cases, preeclampsia can progress to an even more serious problem called eclampsia, which usually requires hospitalization.

How to make an appointment
Contact High Risk Obstetrics by calling the Section on Maternal Fetal Medicine of the Yale Dept. of Obstetrics and Gynecology at (203) 785-5682.

Maternity Services home page

Last revised: Feb. 8, 2008 (dh)

Home page URL: http://www.ynhh.org

All information is intended for your general knowledge and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. You should seek prompt medical care for any specific health issues and consult your physician before starting a new fitness regimen.