High

A pregnancy is considered high risk if the person giving birth and/or the fetus has an increased chance of experiencing a health problem during pregnancy or delivery, compared to a typical pregnancy.

Factors that may make a pregnancy high risk include preexisting health conditions of the pregnant person, their age, the medications they take, any health conditions they have that are related to the pregnancy or fetus, and their lifestyle factors such as substance use.

A high-risk pregnancy does not necessarily mean something will go wrong; it means that your healthcare provider is likely to monitor the pregnancy more closely and may refer you to specialists, such as a maternal-fetal medicine specialist.

Photo composite by Amelia Manley for Verywell Health; Getty Images

This article will discuss what a high-risk pregnancy is, factors that could lead to a high-risk pregnancy, the medical specialists who may be involved, what to expect in terms of appointments, and how you can support your body and your baby during a high-risk pregnancy.

A pregnancy is considered high risk if the pregnant person, the fetus, or both have a higher risk for health problems during pregnancy or labor.

The increased risk may stem from a preexisting health condition the pregnant person has or problems with the pregnancy itself. The risk may be known before conception, develop during pregnancy, or happen quickly as the result of an event during pregnancy.

Certain health conditions experienced by the pregnant person can increase the risk of complications during pregnancy. These may include:

This list is not all-inclusive. Other health conditions may increase risks during pregnancy. Talk to your healthcare provider about your medical history and any health conditions you may have.

Health conditions or complications may arise during the pregnancy that could lead to the pregnancy being considered high-risk. These may include:

Some infections may also cause complications during pregnancy, including:

If you are taking certain medications, your healthcare provider may suggest alternative treatment, or make a plan to monitor you. These medications may include the psychiatric medication lithium, and the anti-seizure medications Dilantin (phenytoin), Depakene (valproic acid), and Tegretol (carbamazepine).

Don't stop taking your medication or change your treatment plan without first talking to your healthcare provider.

Birthing parents who are very young, such as teenagers, are more likely than adults to experience risks such as:

First-time birthing parents who are over age 35 also have a higher chance of certain risks, such as:

Some lifestyle factors can increase the risk for pregnancy complications, including:

Having a high-risk pregnancy does not necessarily mean that:

Many people with high-risk pregnancies go on to have a typical pregnancy and birth.

A perinatologist, also called a maternal-fetal medicine specialist, is a physician who has the traditional education in obstetrics and gynecology but also has an additional three years of training to treat pregnancy complications.

You may continue to see your regular healthcare provider and the perinatologist—or your perinatologist may be your primary healthcare provider—for your pregnancy.

Birthing parents with high-risk pregnancies are almost always advised to deliver in a hospital setting so that proper personnel, equipment, and monitoring are ready if needed.

The University of Utah offers a search tool on its website to help locate perinatologists in your area.

The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) provides links to a number of resources on high-risk pregnancies.

You may choose to meet with a perinatologist before you become pregnant if you have preexisting risk factors for a high-risk pregnancy. This allows you to discuss anything that needs to be addressed before pregnancy (such as managing blood pressure) and what pregnancy may be like. If applicable, you may choose to do prepregnancy genetic testing.

During a high-risk pregnancy, you may need more visits with your healthcare provider than is typical. You will have the standard pregnancy screenings, such as blood pressure checks and urine tests that check for protein and urinary tract infections, but you may be monitored more often. You may also have more than the standard amount of ultrasounds.

Tests that may be run during a high-risk pregnancy include:

If your baby is born prematurely or has health problems, they may need to spend time at the hospital after birth, often in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), where they can receive the specialized care they need.

Following your healthcare provider's care directives, including follow-up instructions or appointments, is important.

Good communication between you and your providers is key for your medical care and emotional well-being. Having a high-risk pregnancy can be scary, and your provider must foster a relationship in which you feel comfortable voicing your questions and concerns.

It is OK to ask for clarification, to bring questions or take notes, or to ask if someone can accompany you to your appointments and tests.

It's also important for you to be open and honest with your healthcare provider. They need to know about the medications you are on, substances you have used, and other pertinent information so that they can give you the most informed care.

Ask them how best to contact them and where to go if you need to be seen urgently.

First, take a deep breath. It's natural to feel a wide array of emotions with a high-risk pregnancy. Talk to your healthcare provider about how you can manage any anxiety you are feeling and ask about resources for support.

What you read online or hear from others may not apply to you. Your healthcare provider can answer your questions, work with you to form a pregnancy and birth plan, and talk you through your concerns.

Talk to your healthcare provider beforehand about what to look for that could signal signs of distress or emergency, and what to do.

As a general guide, call 911 or seek emergency care right away if you or a pregnant person:

Call your healthcare provider or seek urgent medical care if you or a pregnant person with you:

High-risk pregnancy can't always be prevented, but as with any pregnancy, it's important to take steps to care for your body and your baby, such as:

A high-risk pregnancy is one in which there is an increased risk of health problems for the birthing parent and/or baby.

A pregnancy may be considered high risk due to factors such as preexisting health conditions in the birthing parent, problems related to the pregnancy, medications the birthing parent may be taking, the age of the birthing parent, or lifestyle factors.

People with a high-risk pregnancy usually need extra monitoring and may have tests, such as an ultrasound, performed more often. A high-risk pregnancy does not necessarily mean you won't have a healthy pregnancy and birth.

MyHealth Alberta. High-risk pregnancy.

Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. About high-risk pregnancy.

Yale Medicine. High-risk pregnancy.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Type 1 or type 2 diabetes and pregnancy.

Johns Hopkins. High-risk pregnancy: what you need to know.

National Health Service. Infections in pregnancy that may affect your baby.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Rubella (German measles, three-day measles): pregnancy and rubella.

Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. What are some factors that make a pregnancy high risk?

March of Dimes. Pregnancy after age 35.

American Pregnancy Association. What is a high-risk pregnancy?

UNC Medical Center. High-risk pregnancy.

March of Dimes. Premature babies.

NewYork-Presbyterian. High-risk pregnancy care.

By Heather JonesHeather M. Jones is a freelance writer with a strong focus on health, parenting, disability,and feminism.