High-Risk Pregnancy

Key points

• • A high-risk pregnancy is one with a raised chance of harm to the mother, the baby, or both, and so needs closer care.
• • Risks from the mother include very young or older age, high blood pressure, diabetes, heart or kidney disease and anaemia.
• • Risks from the pregnancy include carrying twins, too much or too little fluid, and a placenta in the wrong place.
• • A poor obstetric history, such as previous loss, stillbirth or a difficult birth, also marks higher risk.
• • Recognising these risks early allows closer watching and planning, which improves the outcome for mother and baby.