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High-Risk Pregnancy
A pregnancy is followed as high risk when either mother or baby requires more attention than usual. The label is not bad news in itself; it simply means more frequent visits and some additional assessments.
When closer monitoring is needed
- Gestational diabetes or pre-existing diabetes
- High blood pressure and risk of pre-eclampsia
- Multiple pregnancy (twins or more)
- A history of recurrent pregnancy loss
- Previous preterm birth or a short cervix
- A baby measuring smaller than expected
- Advanced maternal age, thyroid, kidney, cardiac or connective tissue disease
What changes in the follow-up
Visits become more frequent; fetal growth and blood flow to the baby are assessed with Doppler ultrasound. Where required, the fetal heart rate is monitored by CTG, and blood pressure, glucose and blood tests are followed more closely on the maternal side.
Risk of preterm birth
Where preterm birth is a concern, cervical length is measured by ultrasound. Depending on the findings, progesterone support, rest or inpatient monitoring may be considered, and medication to mature the baby’s lungs may be required.
Deciding together
In a high-risk pregnancy what matters most is understanding what is being done and why. Findings are explained in plain language at every visit, and the timing and mode of delivery are planned together as the pregnancy progresses.