High Risk Pregnancy

High Risk Pregnancy & Childbirth

About 10 percent of all pregnancies in the U.S. are "high risk." Doctors consider pregnancies high risk when the fetus' or mother's health is threatened.

Health Conditions Make Some Pregnancies High Risk

Women with certain medical conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure, and women who develop pregnancy problems like preterm labor or who are pregnant with twins, triplets or other multiples are considered high risk and should receive care from a board-certified perinatologist (high risk pregnancy doctors).

• Anemia in Pregnancy
• Ectopic Pregnancy
• Gestational Diabetes
• Hellp Syndrome Pregnancy
• Pre-eclampsia (common misspelling: preclampsia)
• Premature Birth
• Preterm Labor
• Pregnant with Twins, Triplets or other Multiple Births
• Umbilical Cord Prolapse

High Risk Pregnancy Age: Pregnancy After 40

Women over age 40 who become pregnant are considered high risk.

Center for Special Maternal Fetal Care (High Risk Pregnancy)

With a reputation for specializing in high risk pregnancies, the perinatologists at Presbyterian/St. Luke’s Medical Center in Denver treat patients from Denver, Colorado, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, South Dakota and Wyoming. Our Center for Special Maternal Fetal Care started in 1979 and continues to provide the region's leading care for high risk pregnancies and high risk babies.

Perinatologist (Maternal-Fetal Medicine Specialist) Richard Porreco, MD, Medical Director at Presbyterian/St. Luke's Center for Special Maternal Fetal Care, has delivered more than 10,000 babies, and our perinatologists deliver or consult on most of the high-risk pregnancies and births at Presbyterian/St. Luke's Medical Center and Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children at P/SL.

"Our advantage is the continuity of care in managing all types of pregnancies and virtually any condition or health issue, for a mother, her fetus, and newborn," explains Dr. Porreco.

Request an Appointment with a High Risk Pregnancy Doctor (Perinatologist)>>