High-Risk Obstetrics
- Closer care when you need it most.
Hearing that your pregnancy is high-risk can feel frightening. Most often, it simply means you and your baby will benefit from closer attention, more frequent monitoring, and a care team that knows your story.
At Women’s Health Group in Chicago, Dr. Awad provides individualized care for high-risk pregnancies, with close physician involvement and coordination with maternal-fetal medicine specialists when needed.
- 30+ years caring for women
- Routine and high-risk pregnancy care
- Board-certified OB-GYN care
- In-office ultrasounds
Our Services
What is a High-Risk Pregnancy?
Medically reviewed by Michael M. Awad, DO, OB-GYN
A pregnancy is considered high-risk when a health condition in the mother or baby calls for extra monitoring or care. This may be a condition you had before pregnancy, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or thyroid disease, or one that develops during pregnancy.
Carrying twins or more, being 35 or older, or having had complications in a past pregnancy can also call for closer care. Many women with high-risk pregnancies go on to have healthy babies, especially with early and consistent prenatal care.
Early care makes a difference.
Starting prenatal care early lets your care team spot and manage concerns sooner, giving you and your baby a healthier start.
Pregnancy Warning Signs You Should Never Ignore
Call us right away, or seek emergency care, if you notice:
- Vaginal bleeding or leaking fluid
- Severe or persistent abdominal or pelvic pain
- A severe headache that won’t go away, or vision changes such as blurriness or seeing spots
- Sudden swelling of the face, hands, or feet
- A fever of 100.4°F or higher
- Fewer baby movements than usual after 28 weeks
- Regular contractions before 37 weeks
If something doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts and reach out at (773) 992-1555. For emergencies, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
- Comfort at Every Step
Strategies for Comprehensive Care
Closer Monitoring
Depending on your needs, we may see you more often and add extra checks of your blood pressure, lab work, and your baby's growth.
In-Office Ultrasounds
Ultrasounds performed in our office let us follow your baby's growth and development without a separate imaging appointment.
Specialist Coordination
When your pregnancy needs it, we coordinate with maternal-fetal medicine specialists so your care stays connected and clear.
Support for Your Well-Being
A high-risk pregnancy can be stressful. We screen for anxiety and depression and connect you with support whenever you need it.
Planning Ahead With a Health Condition
If you have a condition such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or thyroid disease, the healthiest pregnancy often starts before conception. A preconception visit lets us review your medications and help get your condition well controlled first.
If you are planning a pregnancy, learn more about preconception care on our prenatal care page.
- Care That Fits Your Pregnancy
The Personal Nature of High-Risk Care
Every Pregnancy Is Different
Two high-risk pregnancies can look completely different. Your care plan is built around your health history and how your pregnancy progresses.
Your Questions Come First
Extra monitoring can bring extra worries. We explain every test and result clearly and make time for every question you have.
Your High-Risk Pregnancy Journey:
First Visit
We review your health history, past pregnancies, and medications, confirm your pregnancy, and talk through what extra care may help.
Monitoring
Regular visits, lab work, and ultrasounds track your health and your baby's growth, with more frequent checks when needed.
Delivery Plan
As your due date approaches, we build a delivery plan together and coordinate the details so you feel prepared.
High-risk care is tailored to your situation. These are some of the most common reasons a pregnancy may need closer monitoring.*
*Every pregnancy is different. Talk with Dr. Awad about the care that is right for you and your baby.
Blood pressure conditions
Chronic high blood pressure and preeclampsia need careful monitoring to protect both you and your baby.
Diabetes
Diabetes before pregnancy and gestational diabetes call for closer follow-up of your blood sugar and your baby’s growth.
Twins or more
Carrying multiples brings extra visits and ultrasounds to follow each baby’s growth and watch for signs of early labor.
Age and pregnancy history
Being 35 or older, or having had complications or losses in past pregnancies, may call for added screening and support.
Common High-Risk Pregnancy Questions We Hear Most
Does high-risk mean something will go wrong?
No. It means your pregnancy will benefit from extra attention. Many women with high-risk pregnancies have healthy babies with good prenatal care.
Will I need to see a specialist?
Some pregnancies benefit from a maternal-fetal medicine specialist. When that’s the case, we coordinate with them so your care stays connected.*
*Dr. Awad will let you know if specialist care is recommended for you.
How often will I have appointments?
It depends on your situation. High-risk pregnancies often need more frequent visits and ultrasounds than the standard prenatal schedule.
Can I still have the birth experience I want?
We talk through your preferences and build a delivery plan around what’s safest for you and your baby, so you feel informed and involved.
Michael M. Awad, DO, OB-GYN
Dr. Mike Awad is a second-generation OB-GYN whose areas of focus include high-risk obstetrics. In obstetrics, he provides individualized care for both routine and high-risk pregnancies, with an emphasis on continuity and close physician involvement. His philosophy is simple: meet every patient where she is, listen carefully, and make sure she feels understood and confident in her care.
Your comfort, privacy, and dignity come first
A high-risk pregnancy can bring worry along with excitement. Every visit is designed so you feel heard, informed, and respected. Here is our promise to you.
Your concerns are taken seriously
No symptom is too small to mention, and you will never be rushed out the door.
We explain first, then proceed together
Before every step, we walk you through what to expect and why, in plain language and at your pace. You can ask us to pause at any time.
Your choice is respected
We explain your options and our recommendations clearly, and decisions are made together with you.
Your information stays private
Your conversations and records are protected, and follow-up messages go through our secure patient portal.
Expert Care for Every Kind of Pregnancy
High-risk pregnancy care for women across Chicago’s Southwest Side, including Garfield Ridge, Clearing, Burbank, Oak Lawn, Bridgeview, and Summit. New patients are welcome. Most major insurance accepted.
