High-Risk Pregnancy Care

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A pregnancy may be described as high-risk when the mother, baby or pregnancy has a greater chance of complications. This does not mean that a complication will definitely occur. It means that closer monitoring, additional testing or specialist coordination may be appropriate.

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Factors That May Make a Pregnancy High-Risk

- High blood pressure, diabetes, thyroid disease or another medical condition
- Pregnancy at an older maternal age
- Multiple pregnancy
- Previous preterm birth, stillbirth or severe pregnancy complication
- Placental abnormalities
- Fetal growth or structural concerns
- Bleeding, cervical weakness or threatened preterm labour
- Pregnancy after selected fertility treatments
- Severe obesity or significant underweight
- Autoimmune, kidney, heart or blood disorders

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Care May Include

- More frequent prenatal visits
- Additional ultrasound monitoring
- Maternal blood and urine testing
- Fetal-growth and wellbeing assessment
- Cervical-length monitoring when indicated
- Medication planning
- Early recognition of preeclampsia or gestational diabetes
- Referral to a maternal-fetal medicine specialist
- Delivery planning at a facility with the required level of care

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Coordinated Care

High-risk pregnancy care may involve obstetricians, maternal-fetal medicine specialists, physicians, anaesthetists, neonatologists and other specialists. The safest location for delivery depends on the identified risks and available hospital facilities.