Even though the phrase "high-risk pregnancy" might sound ominous, the term does not in any way mean that you’re destined to experience problems while expecting. In fact, the majority of women who have so-called high-risk pregnancies go on to have few or no issues and give birth to healthy babies.

What is a high-risk pregnancy?

Having a high-risk pregnancy simply means that due to a pre-existing health condition — or one you develop while you're expecting — you may have a greater chance of pregnancy complications. Because of that, you’ll likely need extra monitoring and possibly extra treatment to ensure you have the safest pregnancy and delivery possible. 

Your practitioner can tell you why you qualify for the high-risk designation, but it’s likely due to one of these pre-existing factors or pregnancy conditions listed below.

Pre-existing factors for a high-risk pregnancy

Pre-existing factors for high-risk pregnancies may include the following:

  • Heart disease
  • High blood pressure
  • Kidney disease
  • Sexually transmitted infections, including HIV
  • Diabetes
  • Cancer
  • Autoimmune diseases (such as lupus)
  • Blood clotting disorders
  • Being overweight or underweight
  • Complications during previous pregnancies
  • Being under the age of 18 
  • Being over the age of 35

Conditions that can develop during pregnancy and may classify as high-risk

Sometimes high-risk pregnancies are labeled as such because of conditions that pop up once you're already pregnant or because your type of pregnancy is inherently high-risk. These include:

  • Being pregnant with multiples
  • Preeclampsia (high blood pressure during pregnancy that can affect the mom-to-be’s liver, kidneys and brain)
  • Gestational diabetes (diabetes that develops during pregnancy)
  • Preterm labor (labor that starts before week 37)
  • Placenta previa (a placenta that’s lying unusually low in the uterus so that it may be covering the cervix, which can cause bleeding and early delivery)
  • HELLP syndrome (a rare but dangerous complication usually brought on by high blood pressure or preeclampsia)
  • Placental abruption (where the placenta separates early from the uterine wall)
  • Placenta accreta (when the placenta grows too deeply into the uterine wall, which can cause bleeding later in pregnancy and potentially hemorrhaging during labor and delivery)
  • Preterm premature rupture of membranes (leaking amniotic fluid before 37 weeks of pregnancy)
  • Infections such as Zika, listeria or toxoplasmosis

Since your doctor has characterized your pregnancy as high-risk, ask him or her to explain what specific factors put you in that category and whether or not you should see a specialist. For instance, if you had diabetes before pregnancy, you may benefit from seeing an OB/GYN who specializes in pregnancy and endocrinology.

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Or if you have a heart condition, it may be a good idea to have a cardiologist on your medical team — someone you can check in with you regularly as your pregnancy progresses. The more knowledgeable your practitioners are about your specific condition, the better chance you have of reducing any risks.

You may receive a referral to a practitioner who specializes in high-risk pregnancies, called a maternal fetal medicine (MFM) specialist, or a specialist who can consult with your current prenatal provider. Either way, your doctors will determine if you need any medication, treatment or additional monitoring.

Once you’ve nailed down the best doctor (or doctors) for you, and you’ve worked together to figure out your course of action, do your best to stay on top of your health. This is the time to get serious about taking excellent care of yourself.

Go to all of your prenatal appointments, get all necessary pregnancy tests and screenings, eat well, take your prenatal vitamins, fit in regular pregnancy-safe exercise if the doctor gives you the all clear and get enough rest.

Your pregnancy requires extra special care for that extra special bundle, so follow your doctor’s orders and try to relax. Thanks to advances in medical technologies and good prenatal care, you are more likely than ever to have a healthy pregnancy, delivery and baby.