While hearing that your pregnancy is considered complex or high-risk can be worrying, it can mean just that mom and baby need extra care to have a healthy pregnancy and delivery.

You may have had a medical condition before you became pregnant, or you might develop a condition during your pregnancy. Your developing baby also can have a condition that needs to be monitored before birth.

Having the information gives you time to plan and get specialized care early, when it’s likely to be most effective.

Your pregnancy can be considered complex for a number of reasons. Common conditions that affect the mother include:

She went into preterm labor at 20 weeks, but a risky procedure saved the baby’s life

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• Carrying multiples, such as twins or triplets
• Pregnant over age 35
• High blood pressure, preexisting diabetes (Type 1 or Type 2), gestational diabetes, heart conditions, asthma or other chronic conditions
• Obstetric complications such as premature labor or recurrent pregnancy loss

An ultrasound may have detected an abnormality in your baby’s development. As frightening as this news can be, it can be helpful to remember that identifying the condition allows you and your baby to get the right care. Children with congenital heart anomalies and other conditions can grow to have full, adult lives.

At Norton Children’s Fetal Care Program, you’ll receive specialized, comprehensive care from diagnosis through delivery and beyond. Our team coordinates treatment with pediatric specialists, while nurse navigators connect you with providers and collaborate with your OB/GYN and maternal-fetal medicine specialist.

How We’ll Care for Your Complex Pregnancy

• Our caring team of highly experienced maternal-fetal medicine physicians ensures easier access to expertise for your complex pregnancy.
• Our compassionate patient navigators who are registered nurses provide one-on-one support and guide you through your pregnancy care, including coordinating appointments. Maternal-fetal medicine offices in downtown Louisville, St. Matthews, Bowling Green and Paducah all provide the same level of specialized care.
• The Wendy Novak Diabetes Institute Perinatal Program provides specialized care for managing diabetes before, during and after pregnancy.
• Deliver down the hall from the Norton Children’s Hospital’s Level IV neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) — the highest capability — or the Level III NICU at Norton Women’s & Children’s Hospital.
• You can keep your OB/GYN for your delivery while getting the expertise of the maternal-fetal medicine team caring for your health and the health of your baby or multiples.
• Medicaid and most commercial insurance plans are accepted.
• Communicate with your medical provider, manage appointments and get alerts if an earlier appointment becomes available through your free Norton MyChart account.