High-risk pregnancy

High risk means your care may need extra attention

A high-risk pregnancy has an increased chance of complications for you, your baby, or both. The label does not mean something will go wrong. It helps your team choose the right appointments, testing, and delivery plan.

Factors that may lead to closer monitoring include:

• High blood pressure, diabetes before pregnancy, kidney or heart disease, lupus, or other significant chronic illness.
• A history of preeclampsia, preterm birth, stillbirth, or certain other pregnancy complications.
• Twins or more babies, significant obesity, or pregnancy at age 35 or older, with risk generally increasing with age.
• Conditions that develop during pregnancy, including gestational diabetes or preeclampsia.
• Problems with the placenta, cervix, baby's growth, or fetal development.

This is not a complete list or an automatic checklist. Your individual history determines the type and intensity of care. NICHD high-risk pregnancy information

Why monitoring matters

Some complications cause few symptoms at first. Blood pressure checks, lab tests, growth ultrasounds, or fetal heart-rate monitoring can help guide treatment and the timing of birth. You may also see a maternal-fetal medicine specialist. Not everyone needs every test or the same visit schedule. CDC pregnancy complications

Keep a medication list and ask what each test is checking, when results will arrive, and who to call with concerns. Tell your team if transportation, cost, or work makes appointments difficult.