High Risk Pregnancy

During a high risk pregnancy, your body might give you signs that something isn’t right. It’s important to listen and act fast. Some symptoms are normal, but others need medical help.

Call your doctor right away if you have:

• Severe belly pain
• Heavy bleeding
• Swelling in face or hands
• Blurred vision
• Severe headache
• No baby movement for many hours
• High fever
• Trouble breathing

Other warning signs:

• Constant vomiting
• Pain while peeing
• Feeling dizzy or faint

What you can do:

• Keep track of symptoms
• Don’t ignore changes in your body
• Always trust your instincts

If something feels off, it's better to check than to wait. Your body knows what it’s doing, and so do you.

A pregnancy can be high risk for many reasons. Some women already have health problems before they get pregnant. Others may face issues during pregnancy.

Common causes include:

• High blood pressure
• Diabetes
• Heart or kidney problems
• Being over 35 years old
• Being under 17 years old
• Infections like HIV or COVID-19
• Previous pregnancy problems (like miscarriage)

Pregnancy-related causes:

• Twins or more (multiple babies)
• Problems with the placenta
• Preeclampsia (high blood pressure in pregnancy)
• Early labor (before 37 weeks)

What to remember:

• Knowing the cause helps doctors give better care
• Not all causes are preventable
• Early care makes a big difference

A cause doesn’t mean a problem is certain—it just means you and your baby need more care.

Some things can raise your chance of having a high risk pregnancy. These are called risk factors. Some are in your control, and some are not.

Main risk factors:

• Age (under 17 or over 35)
• Smoking or drug use
• Being overweight or underweight
• Poor nutrition
• Not getting regular checkups
• Long-term health conditions
• Past pregnancy issues
• Family history of certain problems

Lifestyle risk factors:

• Stress or depression
• No support system
• Heavy work or long hours
• No health insurance or care access

Helpful tips:

• Get help quitting smoking or drinking
• Eat healthy meals
• Keep stress low
• Talk to your doctor about any health issues

Knowing your risk factors helps you plan a safer pregnancy.

Sometimes a high risk pregnancy can lead to problems. These are called complications. The good news is many can be treated early if caught on time.

Possible complications:

• Preeclampsia (high blood pressure with swelling)
• Gestational diabetes
• Preterm birth (baby comes too early)
• Low birth weight
• Miscarriage
• Stillbirth
• Placenta previa (placenta blocks the birth path)
• Too much or too little amniotic fluid

For the baby:

• Growth problems
• Birth defects
• Breathing trouble at birth

How to avoid complications:

• Don’t skip doctor visits
• Take medicine if prescribed
• Follow food and activity advice

Many women with complications still have healthy babies—early care makes all the difference.

Doctors check for high risk pregnancies early on. Sometimes it's clear from the start. Other times, issues show up later during checkups.

How it’s diagnosed:

• Medical history and past pregnancies
• Regular blood pressure checks
• Blood and urine tests
• Ultrasound scans
• Screening for diabetes or infections

Other tests may include:

• Fetal monitoring (to check baby’s heart)
• Amniocentesis (testing fluid from the womb)
• Non-stress test (to see baby’s movement and heart rate)

Why early diagnosis matters:

• Doctors can catch problems early
• You’ll get the right support
• It lowers the chance of problems during delivery

If you’re told you have a high risk pregnancy, don’t panic. It means your doctor is going to keep a close eye on you and your baby.

Treatment depends on the reason for the high risk. You may need more tests, medicine, or special care. The goal is to keep both mom and baby safe.

Common treatments include:

• Medications for high blood pressure or diabetes
• Bed rest (if advised by doctor)
• Regular checkups and scans
• Counseling and emotional support
• Early hospital admission if needed

You might also need:

• Special diet plans
• Help with managing stress
• A planned C-section delivery

What you can do:

• Take all medications as told
• Don’t miss appointments
• Speak up if you feel worried or unwell

Doctors and nurses work with you to make sure you and your baby get the best care.

You can’t always stop a high risk pregnancy, but you can lower your chances by being prepared. Good habits and early care really help.

Steps to prevent high risk pregnancy:

• Visit your doctor before getting pregnant
• Treat health problems like diabetes or high BP early
• Take folic acid and other vitamins
• Eat healthy food and stay active
• Don’t smoke, drink alcohol, or use drugs
• Get to a healthy weight before pregnancy
• Manage stress and get enough rest

During pregnancy:

• Go to all prenatal visits
• Report any strange symptoms
• Follow doctor’s advice on medicine, food, and rest

A healthy start can lead to a healthy finish. You and your baby deserve the best chance possible.

A high-risk pregnancy may feel overwhelming, but with the right medical support, many women experience healthy outcomes. You are not alone—millions of women face similar challenges and find strength through family, friends, and dedicated healthcare providers. Open communication with your doctor, closely following medical advice, and caring for both your physical and emotional health are essential steps. Never hesitate to seek support when needed. The ultimate goal is to ensure the safety and well-being of both mother and baby. Whether your pregnancy is considered high-risk or routine, love, attention, and proper care make all the difference in your journey.