High-Risk Pregnancy

A high-risk pregnancy is a pregnancy which has increased health risks for the pregnant woman and for the baby. These pregnancies require close monitoring to reduce the chance of complications.

Hearing that your pregnancy is high risk can feel worrying, but it does not mean that things will go wrong. It means you will receive extra attention, with more frequent check-ups, additional tests and a care plan built around your needs. With the right support, many women with a high-risk pregnancy go on to have a healthy delivery and a healthy baby. Knowing what to expect, asking questions at every visit and sharing any changes you notice with your care team can make the journey feel far more manageable.

What Makes a Pregnancy High Risk

A pregnancy risk assessment considers factors such as existing health conditions, previous pregnancy complications, age, or conditions that develop during the current pregnancy itself, such as gestational diabetes. Being classified as high risk simply means closer monitoring is recommended, not that a difficult outcome is expected. Common reasons for this classification include pre existing conditions such as hypertension or diabetes, multiple pregnancy, or a history of pregnancy complications previously experienced.