High-Risk Pregnancy: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Sumiran Racherla, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats High-Risk Pregnancy?
An obstetrician, a doctor who cares for pregnant women, usually cares for a high-risk pregnancy. A maternal-fetal medicine specialist, a doctor trained in high-risk pregnancies, may also help. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is a high-risk pregnancy?
A high-risk pregnancy is one in which you, your baby, or both have a higher chance of health problems than in a typical pregnancy. Health problems do not always lead to trouble for you or your baby. Early and regular prenatal care, which is care during pregnancy, may help lower the risks.
Symptoms
A high-risk pregnancy is about the chance of problems, so tell your provider about any symptoms. Some symptoms, like nausea, back pain, and fatigue, are common during pregnancy. Others, like vaginal bleeding or a severe or long-lasting headache, can be signs of a problem, so read the warning signs under When to see a doctor. Call your provider if something is bothering or worrying you.
Causes and who gets it
Every pregnancy has some risk of problems. Your lifestyle and some health conditions can raise that risk. Examples include:
- A health condition you had before you got pregnant.
- A health condition that starts during pregnancy.
- A pregnancy with more than one baby.
- A health problem in a past pregnancy that could happen again.
- Substance use during pregnancy.
- Being over age 35.
Some long-term conditions can complicate a pregnancy. They include high blood pressure, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), kidney problems, autoimmune disorders, thyroid disease, obesity, HIV, cancer, and infections. Gestational diabetes can also develop during pregnancy.
How doctors diagnose it
If you have a long-term condition, talk to your provider before you get pregnant about how to lower your risk. Once you are pregnant, you may need a health care team to monitor your pregnancy. Providers keep a close watch on you and your pregnancy. This helps them find problems fast, so treatment can start before anyone is in danger.
Treatment
Treatment depends on your specific risk factors. For a thyroid problem, treatment is usually medicine that keeps thyroid hormone levels right. For smoking, treatment is help to quit. For HIV, treatment includes antiretroviral treatments (HIV medicines) during pregnancy. It may include a surgical delivery. The woman and baby may need more medicines after birth. With preeclampsia (high blood pressure in pregnancy) or past preterm labor, treatment could mean extra days in the womb. Some long-term conditions can be controlled. Others cannot be treated and carry a higher risk than usual, even when well managed.
Some risks can be lowered before pregnancy. Reaching a healthy weight, not smoking, and managing health conditions can help. Still, health problems in pregnancy are not always preventable.
When to see a doctor
Call your provider if something bothers or worries you. Some warning signs can be life-threatening. This is true in pregnancy and in the year after delivery. Get medical care right away if you have any of these signs:
- A fever of 100.4°F or higher.
- Extreme swelling of your hands or face.
- Your baby moving less than before.
- Vaginal bleeding that is more than spotting, or fluid leaking from the vagina.
- Swelling, pain, or tenderness in one leg, usually the calf.
- Severe nausea and throwing up, with trouble keeping fluids down.
Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you have chest pain, trouble breathing, fainting, bleeding that will not stop, a headache that will not go away or gets worse over time, changes in your vision such as flashes of light or double vision, or severe belly pain that does not go away. If you are thinking about harming yourself or your baby, call or text 988 (the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline) right away.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. Either can talk through your health conditions before you get pregnant and help you find a pregnancy care team.
Common questions
What makes a pregnancy high risk?
Many things can make a pregnancy high risk. Examples are a health condition from before pregnancy, a pregnancy with more than one baby, a problem in a past pregnancy, substance use, and being over age 35. Conditions that start during pregnancy, like gestational diabetes, can also raise risk.
Does a high-risk pregnancy mean something will go wrong?
No. Having health problems does not mean that you or your baby will have a problem during the pregnancy. Early and regular prenatal care may help lower the risks.
Can a high-risk pregnancy be prevented?
Not always. Healthy habits before pregnancy can lower some risks. These include reaching a healthy weight, not smoking, and managing health conditions. But health problems during pregnancy are not always preventable.
How is a high-risk pregnancy treated?
Treatment depends on your specific risk factors. For example, treatment for a thyroid problem is usually medicine, and treatment for smoking is help to quit. Providers also keep a close watch on you and your baby to find problems early.
Sources
- MedlinePlus - Health Problems in Pregnancy
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development - How is high-risk pregnancy treated?
- CDC - Urgent Maternal Warning Signs and Symptoms
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
