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High blood pressure pregnancy is probably the number one complication in pregnancy. However, truth is there are several conditions that can make a pregnancy high risk or complicated. However, truth is there are several conditions that can make a pregnancy high risk or complicated. There are many factors that constitute a high risk pregnancy. Much of the factors depend on your health and your healthcare provider and what they deem as "complicated' or "high risk".

There are many different opinions among the medical profession when it comes to matters of pregnancy complications. Some complications stem from chronic conditions that were in place before the pregnancy occurred. And some complications can crop up as a result of being pregnant. With today's medical knowledge and help you can have a high risk pregnancy complication and the chances for a healthy baby in the end are better than ever.

Here are a few things that may label you as high risk:

• Age - If you are over 35, generally you are labeled as "Advanced Maternal Age" and therefore considered more high risk. The reason being that certain conditions such as downs syndrome can occur more often. Miscarriages may happen more often with an "older" woman than with a younger one. Being over 35, you will be offered more tests to ensure your and the baby's health.
• "Pre-pregnant" Chronic Conditions - These are conditions that you had before you were pregnant that will put you in a high risk category during pregnancy. Some may include:




o Cancer
o Diabetes
o Hypertension (high blood pressure - which then becomes a high blood pressure pregnancy)
o Lupus
o Maternal PKU
o Sexually Transmitted Disease
o Urinary Tract Infections
o Uterine Fibroids



• * Pregnancy Induced Conditions - Even the healthiest of women can come down with symptoms during pregnancy that will put her in a high risk category. Among these are:


o Gestational Diabetes
o Incompetent Cervix
o Pregnancy Induce Hypertension (Toxemia or Preeclampsia)
o Preterm Labor
o Problems with the placenta
o Urinary Tract Infections

Toxemia or preeclampsia are considered a "high blood pressure pregnancy" and one that needs to be carefully monitored.

Some previous cases of cesareans or breech or transverse presentations will constitute a high risk pregnancy. All depends upon your particular circumstances and physician.

The fact is the "pregnancy-induced" conditions more than likely will occur later in pregnancy. In most cases, there's nothing you could have done to prevent these conditions from arising. In my own experience I've dealt with gestational diabetes, breech presentation, previous cesarean and preterm labor. In all instances I kept asking myself what I could have done to prevent it. In truth there was nothing I could have done to change it. I was always reassured that it was nothing I did.

In a high risk pregnancy, you will see your doctor more often. Several of the conditions such as placenta problems, preterm labor and toxemia requires bed rest either at home or in the hospital, depending upon the severity of each case.

With today's medical intervention, keeping a watchful eye on both mother and baby will keep these conditions in check. Most the time the mother will be offered many tests such as:

• Amniocentesis
• Blood Tests
• CVS (Chorionic Villus Sampling)
• Level 2 Ultra Sounds
• Non-stress and Stress Tests

The amniocentesis and CVS do not come without risk. You and you healthcare provider will have to weigh the benefit of having the test against the possible risk involved. You can rest assured that today there's a much greater chance of the baby reaching maturity, healthy and whole.

Whether you are facing a high blood pressure pregnancy or a complication due to pre-existing conditions or pregnancy induced conditions, you stand a very good chance of a healthy outcome for both you and your baby!