title: Principles of managing the high-risk pregnant patient.
abstract: The family physician has opportunities for reducing perinatal morbidity and mortality. The potential for a high-risk pregnancy must be recognized. Important elements in the management of a high-risk pregnancy include determination of fetal age, ultrasound, estriol determination, contraction stress test, nonstress test, lecithin/sphingomyelin ratio and scalp blood pH measurement. Electronic fetal monitoring, including direct techniques, should be used in the course of labor.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000032:analysis; D004964:Estriol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005316:Fetal Distress / Q000175:diagnosis; D005323:Fetal Monitoring; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007744:Obstetric Labor Complications; D010713:Phosphatidylcholines / Q000032:analysis; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012306:Risk; D013109:Sphingomyelins / Q000032:analysis; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D010713:Phosphatidylcholines; D013109:Sphingomyelins; D004964:Estriol