Hearing that your pregnancy is "high-risk" can feel overwhelming, but it's simply a sign that you and your baby need extra attention and specialized care. At ThriveOB and Women's Wellness in Barrington, Illinois, our dedicated team of three providers, led by board-certified OB/GYN Dr. Jennifer Moreira, MD, FACOG, is here to guide you every step of the way. We specialize in comprehensive obstetrics and gynecology, ensuring you receive a highly personalized care plan tailored to your unique health needs.
A high-risk pregnancy involves factors that could affect your health, your baby's health, or both. By partnering with our experienced team, you'll benefit from proactive management of these factors to support a safe, healthy delivery.
A pregnancy is typically classified as high-risk due to preexisting medical conditions, maternal age, lifestyle factors, or complications that develop during gestation. Common factors include chronic high blood pressure, gestational diabetes, carrying multiples, or being age 35 or older.
To protect your health, we perform objective blood pressure screenings at every single prenatal visit. This practice aligns with the universal screening guidelines from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF, 2023), which help us detect and manage hypertensive disorders early to prevent serious complications like preeclampsia (a sudden spike in blood pressure during pregnancy).
We manage high-risk pregnancies through close monitoring, advanced diagnostics, and evidence-based medical interventions. Our goal is to minimize risks while keeping you comfortable, active, and informed throughout your entire journey.
Depending on your specific risk factors, we may recommend targeted, proven therapies. For example, if you're at an increased risk for preeclampsia, we might prescribe daily low-dose aspirin starting in your first trimester, a standard protocol supported by the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM, 2022).
If we detect a shortened cervix during a routine ultrasound, we may use vaginal progesterone, which has been shown to reduce the risk of preterm birth before 33 weeks by 37% according to the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology (AJOG, 2025).
One common myth is that a high-risk diagnosis means you must remain on strict bed rest. In reality, modern medical guidelines recommend against routine bed rest because it doesn't prevent preterm birth and can actually increase your risk of blood clots and muscle weakness. Instead, we often encourage safe, moderate physical activity to support your cardiovascular health and overall well-being.
Another misconception is that a high-risk status automatically rules out a vaginal delivery. Many women with high-risk factors can safely deliver vaginally, and we'll work closely with you to determine the safest birth plan for your specific situation.
Navigating a high-risk pregnancy requires expert medical care, open communication, and a compassionate support system. If you're planning a pregnancy or need specialized prenatal care, contact our team at ThriveOB and Women's Wellness in Barrington, Illinois, to schedule a consultation today.
