It can be distressing to hear you have a high-risk pregnancy. But, in most cases, the additional care provided means the person goes on to have a healthy baby.
You may be unsure what that means in terms of the rest of your pregnancy, your baby, and your birth. You may want to know what you can do to decrease your risk, and what the outcome of your pregnancy might be.
The good news is that
Let’s take a look at what you need to know if you’ve been diagnosed with a high risk pregnancy, including signs, symptoms, management, treatment, prevention, and overall outlook.
People who have high risk pregnancies may have underlying conditions that increase their risk, or they may have developed conditions during pregnancy that put them at high risk of complications.
Getting early and consistent prenatal care increases the chances of a healthy pregnancy, despite being in a high risk category.
High risk pregnancies aren’t very common, but they’re not rare either. There’s not much research on the subject, but the World Health Organization notes that they affect about 15% of pregnancies.
Your age may
Teen pregnancies
Being a teenager at the time of pregnancy increases the risk of complications for several reasons:
- Teens have a higher risk of experiencing high blood pressure and anemia during pregnancy.
- Teens are more likely to experience preterm labor (going into labor early).
- Teens are more likely to avoid seeking prenatal care and are more likely to miss doctors’ appointments.
- Teens are less likely to know they have a sexually transmitted infection (STI) and to seek proper care for it.
Pregnancy over the age of 35
Having a baby for the first time when you are over the age of 35 doesn’t automatically mean you will have a complicated pregnancy. Many parents in their mid-30s and beyond have healthy and problem-free pregnancies.
However, it does increase your risk of certain complications, including:
- gestational diabetes
- high blood pressure
- miscarriage or stillbirth
- ectopic pregnancy
- cesarean delivery
- genetic disorders
- prolonged labor
- birth complications
The signs and symptoms of a high risk pregnancy depend on the condition that puts you at that higher risk. For example, symptoms of preeclampsia include headaches and swelling of the hands and face. Symptoms of miscarriage may include cramping or bleeding.
When to call your doctor or healthcare professional
According to the
- a worsening headache
- feeling dizzy or fainting
- visions changes, including blurry vision
- a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or more
- labored breathing
- swelling in your hands or face
- racing heart
- severe abdominal pain
- noticing that your baby’s movements have stopped
- vaginal bleeding
- thoughts of harming yourself or your baby
- extreme fatigue
You may already know you have a medical condition that increases your risk of pregnancy complications before getting pregnant. Or your high risk status may be discovered during pregnancy because of symptoms that emerge or certain test results.
Some diagnostic tests your doctor may order to check your risk of complications during pregnancy include:
- complete blood count (CBC)
- urinalysis and urine culture
- blood type testing
- testing for Rh factor
- testing for STIs, hepatitis, HIV, tuberculosis, and other infectious diseases
- screening for gestational diabetes
- blood pressure testing
- group B strep testing
- testing of your baby for birth defects
If you have a high risk pregnancy, it’s important to work with a specialist. Perinatologists, also called maternal-fetal medicine specialists, are trained to treat people who have high risk pregnancy factors.
The type of treatment you receive will depend on the specific risk factors you have.
For example, people who have gestational diabetes can eat a certain diet or take medication to manage their blood sugar. People with infectious diseases may need to take medications. Special precautions may be needed during delivery to minimize the risk to the infant as well.
Whatever the case, your medical team will be monitoring you more carefully. They may schedule more appointments and diagnostics tests for you than for people who have lower risk pregnancies. This is so they will be able to detect any issues early on.
Early treatment of pregnancy complications increases the chances of having a healthy pregnancy and baby.
All babies are monitored carefully during pregnancy, but if you have a high risk pregnancy, your baby may be monitored more closely.
For example, you may have more frequent ultrasounds or other fetal monitoring tests. It all depends on what your risk factors are and how they may put your baby at risk.
Some diagnostic tests your doctor may use to monitor your baby’s well-being during a high risk pregnancy include:
- nonstress tests
- biophysical profiles
- contraction stress tests
- fetal movement counts
- ultrasound with Doppler (used to examine the umbilical cord)
Many health conditions may put you in a higher risk category during pregnancy. You may have had some of these conditions before pregnancy or during prior pregnancies. Others may be conditions that developed over the course of your pregnancy.
Conditions and factors that
- unmanaged high blood pressure
- polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
- kidney disease
- thyroid disease
- autoimmune diseases, such as lupus and multiple sclerosis
- obesity
- HIV
- Zika virus
- being a teen
- being over age 35
- smoking cigarettes during pregnancy
- drinking alcohol during pregnancy
- cannabis and other drug use during pregnancy
You can prevent some of the factors that put you in a high risk pregnancy category. Others can’t be prevented. For example, medical conditions you already have going into pregnancy usually can’t be prevented.
However, certain lifestyle factors, such as smoking, drinking alcohol, and managing your weight, can be addressed before you get pregnant and during pregnancy to lower your risk of complications.
If you’re thinking about getting pregnant and know you have controllable risk factors, consider meeting with a healthcare professional. Together, you can discuss lifestyle changes that will increase your chances of having a lower risk pregnancy.
When to seek emergency care
Contact your doctor if any conditions that increase your risk of pregnancy complications are acting up, or if you’re experiencing any new or worsening symptoms.
Additionally,
- have trouble breathing
- have developed a fever
- notice your baby has stopped moving
- are bleeding
- have severe abdominal pain
- have a headache that won’t go away
- have swelling of the feet and hands
- have blurred vision
Attending regular doctor visits, participating in any screening your healthcare team recommends, and making certain lifestyle changes during pregnancy can decrease your risks of poor pregnancy outcomes.
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Still, researchers noted that even lower risk pregnancies are sometimes at risk of serious complications, and that doctors should carefully monitor all pregnant people and offer high quality care, regardless of their risk.
Researchers also note that people in high risk categories should receive referrals to specialists who are trained to manage high risk pregnancies.
What age is linked to a high-risk pregnancy?
A high-risk pregnancy can affect people of any age, especially in those with existing health conditions. But there are more likely to be risks during the teenage years and in those aged over 35.
How often do you need to see a doctor with a high-risk pregnancy?
It will depend on your situation, but you will almost certainly have more tests and monitoring than for a low-risk pregnancy.
What are some high-risk pregnancy complications?
These can vary but include the following:
- high blood pressure
- gestational diabetes
- having an undiagnosed sexually transmitted infection (STI)
- having other infections, such as rubella, during pregnancy
- preterm labor
- pre-eclampsia
- unusual genetic factors
Will all my pregnancies be high risk?
It depends. If you have a medical condition that you continue to experience during subsequent pregnancies, you will still be in a high risk category.
But if you’re able to manage one of the factors that increases your risk, such as quitting smoking, you may be able to decrease your risk for later pregnancies.
Receiving the diagnosis of a high risk pregnancy can be scary, but there’s hope. Knowing what’s going on with your pregnancy and health means you can take the necessary steps to prevent the most serious outcomes.
Going to all your prenatal appointments, meeting with specialists when needed, and notifying your healthcare team about any new or concerning symptoms can help reduce your risk of pregnancy complications.
