Understanding High-Risk Pregnancy: What Every Expecting Mother Should Know

09/10/2025

If you think your pregnancy is safe, then this is not for you– Skip It!

One of the most beautiful journeys is the rollercoaster of a 9-month pregnancy. As your bump grows and the days pass, your excitement and joy keep building up. You start imagining the little one in your arms, feeling proud and joyous. 

But while this journey seems full of happiness, it’s crucial not to lose sight of your health. Every pregnancy is unique; some are safe, while a few are considered high-risk, but hey! That doesn’t mean you should panic. It just means you need a little extra awareness and pay more attention to your doctor’s advice. Specifically, if you’re living in a nuclear family in a bustling metro city, where support may feel limited. Being aware of high-risk pregnancy factors and seeking help on time makes all the difference.

Keep reading to know more.

What is a High-Risk Pregnancy?

A high-risk pregnancy (approx. 20-30% of all pregnancies) means that there are greater chances of health issues during pregnancy or delivery for you and your baby compared to a normal pregnancy. This doesn’t always mean problems will occur; however, extra care and monitoring are needed to keep things safe. 

Many women with high-risk pregnancies still have healthy babies. If you’re informed your pregnancy is high risk, trust your healthcare team; they will closely monitor and help you have the safest pregnancy.

Read Also: What are the Symptoms of Pregnancy in the First Week?

What Makes a Pregnancy High-Risk?

The following are the high-risk pregnancy criteria or the factors that could make your pregnancy risky.

• Existing health conditions such as high glucose or sugar, high blood pressure, thyroid problems, or autoimmune diseases may increase the risk.
• Age plays an important role; being younger than 20 or older than 35 makes pregnancy a higher-risk criterion.
• Pregnancy with twins can lead to complications.
• Previous pregnancy problems, such as preterm birth or preeclampsia (high blood pressure and liver or kidney damage after the 20th week of pregnancy), can raise the chances of issues again.
• Smoking, drinking alcohol, or using drugs may increase the chances of a high-risk pregnancy.
• Pregnancy complications like low amniotic fluid, placenta problems and certain infections or blood disorders can make pregnancy risky.

These are some causes of high-risk pregnancy that you need to be aware of.

Read Also: Liver Disorders in Pregnancy: Signs and Symptoms

What are the Types of High-Risk Pregnancy?

Explore the types of high-risk pregnancy and how to manage them:

1. Premature Labor

Early contractions before 37 weeks can result in preterm birth. This can be due to infections or cervical issues.

• How to manage: Reduce your stress, rest well, and seek timely professional care.

2.  Preeclampsia

This is a pregnancy-related condition which is caused because of high blood pressure and protein in urine, harming you and the baby.

• How to manage: Regular monitoring of blood pressure and protein levels and timely treatment.

3. Gestational Diabetes

High blood sugar or glucose levels during pregnancy are due to hormonal imbalances, like insulin needs, and close control.

• How to manage: Consume a low-sugar diet, do regular pregnancy-suitable exercise, and get medical supervision.

4. Placenta Previa

The placenta (which provides oxygen and nutrients to a developing baby) covers the narrow end of the womb partially or fully, risking heavy bleeding during delivery.

• How to manage: Bed rest, monitoring, and hospitalisation if bleeding occurs.

5. Multiple Pregnancies

Carrying twins or more increases pregnancy complications.

• How to manage: Frequent check-ups and monitoring.

6. Late Pregnancy

Pregnancy after age 35 may increase the risks of miscarriage or birth defects.

• How to manage: Closer care of high-risk antenatal mothers and screening tests.

7. History of Preterm Labor

Previous early delivery increases the possibility of preterm birth again.

• How to manage: Monitoring for early signs and preventive care under professional care.

Read Also: Is Nausea During Pregnancy A Good Sign?

High Risk Pregnancy Chart

The below-given table shows the risk of pregnancy and birth complications in pregnant people of various age groups.

Outcome	18-34 years old	35-40 years old	>40 years old
Gestational diabetes	0.01	0.0285	0.0456
Placenta previa	0.0026	0.0056	0.0097
Breech position	0.0261	0.0366	0.0457
Elective Cesarean	0.0437	0.086	0.1267
Emergency Cesarean	0.0865	0.1105	0.1424
Postpartum hemorrage > 1,000 mL	0.0146	0.0219	0.031
Preterm birth	0.06	0.0663	0.0817
Low birth weight < 5th %	0.0581	0.0613	0.0763
High birth weight > 90th %	0.1006	0.1232	0.1196
Ever breastfed	0.6114	0.7008	0.6624

*(data from Jolly et al. 2000)

Read Also: Planning a Pregnancy Post Weight Loss Surgery

Tips For the Prevention of High-Risk Pregnancy

These are some simple ways to prevent high-risk pregnancy chances; however, your doctor is the best one to guide you, hence only follow their advice:

• Plan ahead and consult your doctor before pregnancy
• Stay at a healthy weight
• Quit smoking, avoid alcohol, and stay away from illegal drugs
• Get regular prenatal care and high-risk antenatal mother care
• Let your healthcare provider know about your past pregnancies, medical conditions, and family history

High-risk pregnancy: What are the signs and symptoms

Contact your doctor immediately if you experience the following signs and symptoms, as they can indicate a high-risk pregnancy:

• Worsening severe headache
• Swelling, redness or pain in your face or limbs
• Self-harming thoughts
• Trouble breathing
• Vaginal bleeding
• Increased discharge
• Persistent abdominal pain.
• Chest pain
• Dizziness or fainting
• Extreme fatigue
• Slow or no fetus’s movement
• Heart palpitations
• Nausea and vomiting that’s worse than typical morning sickness.

Conclusion

Don’t stress if your pregnancy is categorised as high risk; it just means there’s a higher chance of complications. It could be due to your health issues you had before pregnancy, new conditions during pregnancy, or lifestyle factors like smoking or alcohol use. The key is to recognise these qualifying factors and follow your doctor’s advice carefully to keep both you and your baby safe and healthy.