A high-risk pregnancy is one where the gestational parent or the fetus has an increased risk of adverse outcomes compared to uncomplicated pregnancies.
A "high-risk" pregnancy means a woman has one or more things that raise her — or her baby's — chances for health problems or preterm (early) delivery.
A woman's pregnancy might be considered high risk if she :
- is age 17 or younger
- is age 35 or older
- was underweight or overweight before becoming pregnant
- is pregnant with twins, triplets, or other multiples
- has high blood pressure, diabetes, depression, or another health problem
- had problems with a previous pregnancy, including premature labor or having a child with a genetic problem or birth defect