Telemundo Preview: High-Risk Pregnancies Topic of This Week's Spanish TV Segment

This week's installment of First 5 LA/Telemundo Los Angeles KVEA 52's series on pregnancy, "Primeros Pasos," will focus on how to avoid and deal with high risk pregnancies.

Airing this Wednesday during the 6 p.m. newscast, the segment will feature doctors who specialize in caring for women whose pregnancies are considered high risk because of age, weight, existing medical conditions, lifestyles, family history, or substance abuse.

"There are many reasons why a woman would be high risk, such as previous miscarriages or if she is under 18 or over 35," said Dr. Kathleen Berkowitz, a perinatologist at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center.

"One of the most common issues is obesity-- among the women I see who have high-risk pregnancies, their average weight at the time their pregnancy is confirmed is 200 pounds with an average height is 5'4"," she added. "This puts them at much greater risk for gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia, Cesarean births, and many other complications of pregnancy." 

Experts say it's important for women to work with their doctors to develop a weight loss plan prior to pregnancy, and to maintain a healthy, balanced diet during pregnancy to ensure appropriate weight gain.

For information in Spanish about high-risk pregnancies, click here or call 888-FIRST5LA for information about free and low-cost health care during pregnancy.