I'm pregnant and my doctor says my pregnancy is "high-risk." What does this
mean?
–Destiny
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
Smoking,
taking illegal drugs, and drinking alcohol
also can cause health problems for a pregnant woman and her baby.
Because your pregnancy is considered high-risk, it's important to work with your
doctor or care team to get any health problems that can be managed under control.
Other important tips for a healthy pregnancy include:
- See your doctor early in and throughout your pregnancy for prenatal
care.
- Eat a healthy
diet (getting plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, etc.) and
exercise if your doctor says it's OK.
- Gain a healthy amount of weight (not too much or too little).
- Protect yourself from infections (including Zika).
Wash your hands
well and often; do not eat raw meat, fish, or unpasteurized cheese; get any immunizations
your doctor recommends; and use condoms to protect against STDs.
- Reduce stress in your life.
Date reviewed: October 2018