Pregnancy Risks from Different Ages

Women aged over 35 may have a higher chance of some pregnancy-related concerns, including gestational diabetes, high blood pressure and chromosomal differences. Very young maternal age, such as under 17, can also be linked with a higher chance of some pregnancy complications.

Age is only one part of the picture. General health, pregnancy history, lifestyle, scan results and current symptoms can also affect the type of care recommended.

If you are planning pregnancy later in life, or you are already pregnant and have concerns, ask your GP for a referral to Dr Lanziz Homar, Obstetrician & Gynaecologist at TOAG for specialist care.

Monitoring A High-Risk Pregnancy

Care for a high-risk pregnancy involves extra monitoring to help your care team track changes and respond to concerns if they develop. Based on your pregnancy and health history, monitoring may include:

• More frequent antenatal appointments
• Blood pressure checks
• Urine testing
• Blood tests
• Glucose testing
• Ultrasound scans
• Baby growth monitoring
• Placenta and fluid checks
• Cervical length scans
• Review of current medications
• Birth planning discussions

Women may also be recommended to other specialists and allied health professionals for more tailored and holistic medical plan, such as a cardiologist, physician, diabetes educator, genetic counsellor or mental health clinician.

Common High-Risk Pregnancy Concerns

Gestational diabetes develops during pregnancy and affects how the body manages blood glucose levels. Management ranges from nutritional changes and blood glucose monitoring to medication or insulin, and is guided by your test results and specialist advice.

Preeclampsia is linked with high blood pressure and can affect organs such as the kidneys and liver. It can develop without obvious symptoms, which is why regular antenatal checks are important.

Multiple pregnancy includes twins, triplets or more and may need closer monitoring due to a higher chance of preterm birth, growth differences and birth planning considerations.

Placenta previa occurs when the placenta sits low in the uterus and covers part or all of the cervix which may cause bleeding and affect birth planning.

Preterm labour refers to signs of labour before 37 weeks. Symptoms such as regular contractions, pelvic pressure, fluid leakage or bleeding should be reviewed promptly.

Pregnancy Symptoms That Need Medical Advice

We all know pregnancy comes with many body changes! Not every symptom means there is a serious concern. But there are certain symptoms should be seen to promptly. Please contact your maternity care team, GP, hospital or emergency services if you notice:

• Severe headache
• Vision changes
• Sudden swelling of the face, hands or legs
• Ongoing abdominal pain
• Persistent or heavy bleeding
• Fluid leaking from the vagina
• Reduced or changed baby movements
• Chest pain or trouble breathing
• Contractions before 37 weeks
• Feeling very unwell

If you are worried, contact your maternity care team, GP, hospital or emergency services. It is always better to ask for medical advice than to wait when something feels off or different when it comes to yours and your baby’s health.

Birth Planning for High-Risk Pregnancy

A high-risk pregnancy may need more detailed birth planning. Birth planning include discussion about timing, place of birth, mode of birth and the professionals involved in your care.

A complex pregnancy does not always mean caesarean birth will be recommended. Vaginal birth can still be discussed, guided by the mother’s health, the baby’s position, pregnancy progress and previous birth history. Dr Homar will explain any reasoning, potential benefits, risks and limits specific to you, about:

• Vaginal birth
• Caesarean section
• Vaginal birth after caesarean
• Breech birth
• Induction of labour
• Preterm birth planning
• Monitoring during labour
• Care after birth

There Is Support for Complex Pregnancies

A complex pregnancy can be emotionally tiring. Extra scans, test results, changing plans and uncertainty can affect stress levels and day-to-day life.

Support can include talking with your GP, obstetrician, midwife, psychologist or counsellor. Practical help at home, time to ask questions during appointments and written information to read later can also make care feel easier to manage.

Needing extra support does not mean you are not coping. It means you are managing a pregnancy that needs more care, more information and more planning. The support is there, so do not hesitate to ask for it.

Signs That You Might Need Specialist Care

A conversation with your GP about referral to TOAG may be helpful if you:

• Have a pre-existing health condition and are pregnant or planning pregnancy
• Have been told your pregnancy may be high risk
• Are pregnant at 35 or older, or planning pregnancy after 35
• Have had a previous pregnancy complication
• Are carrying twins or multiples
• Have gestational diabetes or high blood pressure
• Have bleeding, placenta concerns or growth concerns
• Have any concerns you feel need specialist review
• Your GP, midwife or care team has suggested extra birth planning
• Your GP has recommended obstetric review

An earlier referral can give more time to discuss monitoring, care planning and birth options. TOAG can also see patients later in pregnancy when complex or high-risk pregnancy care is needed.

Specialist Pregnancy Care in Toowoomba

TOAG provides specialist obstetric and gynaecology care for women in Toowoomba, Rangeville, Highfields, the Darling Downs and surrounding communities. In providing local specialist care, we can help reduce travel, time and stress, as well as support communication between your GP, midwife and other healthcare teams.

Dr Lanziz Homar and the TOAG team see patients with complex and high-risk pregnancy concerns at all different stages of the pregnancy journey.

If you feel you may benefit from specialist pregnancy care, or you have been advised your pregnancy may be high risk, speak with your GP about a referral to TOAG in Toowoomba.