Here’s a common misunderstanding: if your doctor calls your pregnancy “high-risk,” something must be going wrong.
Usually, that isn’t what it means at all. The label means your care team wants to watch a few things more closely. That’s it. Most women with high-risk pregnancies go on to have healthy babies. [1]
What makes a pregnancy “high-risk”
A pregnancy may be considered high-risk because of a health condition you had before you got pregnant, something that develops during pregnancy, or factors related to the pregnancy itself. Common reasons include: [1][2]
Pre-existing conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, thyroid disease, autoimmune conditions, or obesity.
Conditions that develop during pregnancy, such as gestational diabetes or preeclampsia.
Pregnancy factors, like carrying twins or more, or a history of preterm birth or pregnancy complications.
Age, if you’re younger than 17 or 35 and older, which can call for additional screening.
Plenty of these are manageable with the right plan. Some are temporary. None of them mean you did anything wrong.
If you’re managing blood sugar during pregnancy, our earlier post on gestational diabetes covers what that diagnosis means day to day.
What changes in your care
The biggest difference is attention. Depending on your situation, your care plan might include: [2]
More frequent visits, so small changes get caught early.
Additional ultrasounds to check your baby’s growth, fluid levels, and placenta. At WIH, we offer ultrasound in our office, so many of these checks don’t require a separate trip.
Extra testing, like blood pressure checks, lab work, or fetal monitoring later in pregnancy.
Coordination with specialists, such as a maternal-fetal medicine physician, when your situation calls for it.
More appointments can feel like more worry. Try to think of them as more reassurance.
What you can do
Go to every appointment, even when you feel fine.
Know your warning signs. Ask your provider which symptoms should prompt a call right away, such as severe headaches, vision changes, sudden swelling, bleeding, or a change in your baby’s movement.
Keep managing any existing condition, including medications, blood sugar, and blood pressure, with your care team’s guidance.
Ask questions. You deserve to understand why each test or visit is on your schedule.
Closer monitoring, same goal
A high-risk label doesn’t change what everyone wants: a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby. It just means your team has a more detailed plan to get there.
Learn more about obstetric care at Women’s Integrated Healthcare, or schedule an appointment in Southlake or Fort Worth to talk through your pregnancy with our team.
Clinical references
[1] Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), “What is a high-risk pregnancy?”
[2] ACOG, “Routine Tests During Pregnancy” and “Special Tests for Monitoring Fetal Well-Being” (patient FAQs)
