very pregnancy is unique. Many progress smoothly from start to finish, while others need extra care and monitoring. A pregnancy is considered high risk when certain health factors increase the chance of complications for the pregnant person, the baby, or both.
Being told your pregnancy is high risk can sound scary, but often, it simply means your care team will watch you more closely and tailor care to your needs. It’s far from unusual, with around 30% of pregnancies considered high risk.
At Sovereign Women's Healthcare, we focus on providing personalized, compassionate obstetric care. We know that understanding what a high-risk pregnancy is helps women feel informed and confident throughout their journey.
A high-risk pregnancy means there is a higher-than-average chance of health concerns during pregnancy, labor, and/or delivery.
This doesn’t mean something will definitely go wrong; it’s just that we may recommend more frequent visits, additional testing, or collaboration with specialists to support a healthy outcome. Most people with high-risk pregnancies go on to deliver healthy babies with the right medical care.
Certain medical conditions that are present before pregnancy or develop during gestation can raise risk levels. These include:
Managing these conditions during pregnancy is essential. Regular checkups, medication adjustments, and lifestyle guidance help reduce complications and support both parent and baby.
Some conditions develop only during pregnancy. The most common examples include:
Early detection makes a considerable difference in reducing risk from these conditions. Routine prenatal visits allow us to spot changes in blood pressure, blood sugar, or fetal growth early, when treatment is most effective.
Age can also play a role in assigning a high-risk status to pregnancy. People under 17 or over 35 are the most likely to carry higher risks, for example, older pregnant patients could have a higher chance of conditions like high blood pressure, gestational diabetes, or chromosomal abnormalities.
Age alone doesn’t determine outcomes, but it may prompt closer monitoring and additional screening to ensure everything stays on track.
Lifestyle choices can affect pregnancy risk and increase the chance of complications, with the most harmful being:
Positive changes — even during pregnancy — can improve outcomes. Eating a balanced diet, staying active as recommended, managing stress, and attending all prenatal appointments support a healthier pregnancy.
Carrying twins or higher-order multiples increases the likelihood of preterm birth and other issues. A history of pregnancy loss, preterm delivery, or complications in previous pregnancies may also raise the risk in future pregnancies.
Sharing your full pregnancy history with us helps guide care decisions and monitoring plans.
Symptoms you should never ignore during pregnancy include:
All these symptoms warrant prompt medical attention. Reporting them early allows us to evaluate what’s happening and intervene quickly, if needed.
High-risk care often includes more frequent prenatal visits, specialized ultrasounds, blood tests, and fetal monitoring. In some cases, we coordinate care with maternal-fetal medicine specialists.
We don’t want to create fear in women by describing their pregnancy as high risk, but provide reassurance through close observation and proactive care. Education, communication, and partnership between patient and provider are key.
Although some risk factors are beyond your control, you can do plenty to support a healthy pregnancy. For example, attend all prenatal appointments, follow medical advice, take the recommended prenatal vitamins, and speak openly about symptoms or concerns.
We encourage you to ask questions and stay informed, because understanding your care plan helps you feel empowered rather than overwhelmed. If you’re unsure whether your pregnancy is considered high risk, ask us directly. A simple conversation can clarify your risk level and explain why we recommend certain tests or visits.
High-risk pregnancy care focuses on preparation, prevention, and support. With attentive supervision and open communication, most people with high-risk pregnancies have healthy outcomes.
To learn more, call Sovereign Women's Healthcare or request an appointment with our board-certified OB/GYN by completing the online booking form.
