Having a high-risk pregnancy means that a woman has a greater chance of complications because of conditions in her pregnancy, her own medical status, or external factors.
Many times, complications are unexpected and may occur without warning. Other times, there are certain risk factors that make problems more likely.
Planning a pregnancy? An important part of planning is finding out if you have any risks. Pregnancy risk factors include:
Other factors also can pose a risk to your developing baby. These include high temperatures, radiation exposure, and high altitudes.
Our Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, also known as High-Risk Obstetrics, provides expert, multidisciplinary care for women and newborns who have complications identified prior to or during pregnancy. Our Center for Fetal Medicine and Prenatal Genetics provides comprehensive assessment and treatment of fetal disease. Women without pregnancy complications also are welcome for services, including genetic counseling. High-risk newborns are cared for by the specialty staff at our on-site Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and Boston Children’s Hospital – connected by a pedestrian bridge to Brigham and Women’s Hospital.
The faculty members and researchers at the BWH Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology are dedicated to doing everything possible to provide women and their families with the most advanced care available anywhere.
As a teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School, we are world-renowned for our expertise in gynecology and obstetrics, and have been a trusted name in women’s health for more than 180 years. Our rich history includes landmark research that has helped guide the care provided to women around the world. Learn more about our research.
Our commitment to patient- and family-focused care has shaped our Center for Women and Newborns at the Mary Horrigan Connors Center for Women’s Health – world-renowned for the quality of our obstetrical and neonatal care and dedicated to the most comprehensive state-of-the-art obstetrical services under one roof. Brigham and Women’s Hospital is the birthing center most women in Massachusetts choose and U.S. News & World Report has repeatedly named Brigham and Women’s Hospital among the top hospitals in the nation in Gynecology.
BWH has long been committed to not only the care of our patients but also the many other needs that they and their families have. This philosophy of patient- and family-focused care – involving systems and services that emphasize healing in a comfortable, relaxed environment – is a guiding force behind the care we provide.
BWH is committed to providing all of our patients with the safest, highest-quality, care possible and follow established protocols that have been shown to improve patient outcomes. Our Inpatient Satisfaction Survey, sent to patients’ to assess their total care experience, helps us to monitor what we are doing well and where we could improve. We pride ourselves in the Quality of Patient Care we provide and how we compare with other hospitals.
The High-Risk Obstetrics team is committed to patients and their families. Each patient's diagnosis and treatment plan will be designed and tailored to their needs. Our team of highly skilled doctors, nurses, and other health care professionals work together to deliver the highest quality care to every patient. View our High-Risk Obstetrics Care Team.
If you believe you should have an evaluation and would like to schedule an appointment with one of our high-risk pregnancy experts, call 1-800-294-9999 to speak to one of our knowledgeable coordinators, who can help to connect you to the doctor that best meets your needs, or fill out an online appointment request form.
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Learn more about how U.S. News & World Report rates Brigham and Women’s Hospital.
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