Pregnancy Specialist

When is a pregnancy considered high risk?

The majority of pregnancies go smoothly, but there are times when the health of the mother or an unexpected problem with the fetus can result in a high-risk pregnancy. That sometimes occurs if the mother has had previous miscarriages or is known to have problems with her blood sugar during pregnancy.

Dr. Adams can identify potential health risks such as gestational diabetes, hypertension, and other health conditions that would put the mother or child at a higher than normal risk. If it turns out that the expectant mother has any of those conditions, he'll schedule the prenatal appointments closer together so he can better monitor the mother and child's overall health.

What are Braxton-Hicks contractions?

Braxton-Hicks contractions are also referred to as false labor or premature contractions. Most doctors believe that these contractions occur to sufficiently prepare the mother for the birthing event. Although they're similar to actual contractions, they rarely follow the same pattern. (Pregnant women can begin to experience Braxton-Hicks contractions as early as 36 weeks.)

If an expectant mother starts experiencing Braxton-Hicks contractions on a regular basis and with increasing severity, they should inform Dr. Adams so that he can perform an examination to ensure that the pregnancy is still on track and neither the mother nor child are in danger.

Why are prenatal exams essential?

Prenatal exams are critical for several reasons. First and foremost, they allow Dr. Adams to monitor the baby's growth and the mother's overall health.

During a prenatal examination, Dr. Adams will also check the mother's heartbeat and blood pressure to ensure both are within normal range. He'll also discuss any potential problems she may be experiencing.Dr. Adams will monitor the patient's weight to ensure she's not gaining more than is normal, too.

When the due date is near, he'll shorten the amount of time between visits to ensure the baby is still progressing normally and is not experiencing any distress.