High-risk pregnancy

What is a high-risk pregnancy? 

Around 6% to 8% of pregnancies are considered high risk. This may be due to a pre‑existing medical condition, a condition that develops during pregnancy, maternal age, or certain lifestyle factors. Being classed as higher risk does not automatically mean that you or your baby will experience complications, but it does mean that additional monitoring and specialist led care may be recommended.

Our maternity specialists provide expert care for both mother and baby throughout pregnancy, birth and beyond. Alongside coordinating care during pregnancy and delivery, our teams can assess whether a baby may have a genetic or medical condition and advise on the most appropriate care and management plan.

You can access our world‑leading private maternity and high‑risk pregnancy services at the Westminster Maternity Suite based at St Thomas’ Hospital, where consultant‑led obstetric care is supported by a full multidisciplinary team and advanced monitoring facilities.

When a pregnancy is considered high risk

High-risk pregnancy refers to a broad variety of common conditions that you may already have been diagnosed with before becoming pregnant, or develop during pregnancy.  

You may feel worried if your pregnancy is classed as high-risk. However, with the expert management and care of our maternity specialists, you can rest assured that you and your baby are in the safest hands. 

While the majority of high-risk conditions do not impact on the health of mum or baby, depending on your condition you may be referred to a fetal medicine specialist for advice and counselling regarding further management. 

Your consultant and maternity care team will monitor you closely throughout your pregnancy and birth to minimise the chance of complications. 

Signs and symptoms of high-risk pregnancy 

There are some signs and symptoms to be aware of during pregnancy that may indicate a higher risk. Experiencing one or more of these does not necessarily mean that something is wrong, but it is important to seek advice so you can be assessed and supported.

You should see a maternity specialist if you experience the following: 

• your unborn baby not moving as much (decreased fetal activity) 
• severe headaches 
• vaginal bleeding 
• watery discharge from your vagina 
• cramps or pain in the lower stomach 
• vision changes such as blurred vision 
• pain when urinating 
• sudden swelling in the face or hands 
• fever 
• persistent dizziness or sickness 
• you are thinking about harming yourself or your baby 

If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s important to seek advice. Our maternity specialists are here to support you and can assess your symptoms promptly. Complete the form on this page to arrange an appointment.

Medical factors that may increase pregnancy risk

In your initial pregnancy appointments, your consultant will assess your general health including any pre-existing conditions you may have as well as your family medical history. They will also take into account your age and lifestyle factors such as weight and whether you smoke. 

Pre-existing conditions that can be a factor in a high-risk pregnancy are: 

• autoimmune disorders 
• co​mplications in previous pregnancies (including preterm labour or birth)  
• heart problems
• high blood pressure 
• diabetes 
• fibroids 
• kidney disease 
• blood clotting disorders 
• thyroid disease 
• polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) 
• HIV 
• mental health conditions 

Changes to your health throughout your pregnancy can lead to a high-risk diagnosis, these could be: 

• multiple pregnancy with twins, triplets or more 
• gestational diabetes
• pre-eclampsia  
• abnormal placental position or adhesion (previa/accrete) 
• poor development, birth defects or genetic conditions in your unborn baby  
• abnormal liver function, accompanied by itching (obstetric cholestasis) 

Your consultant and maternity care team will monitor you closely throughout your pregnancy and birth to reduce risks and manage any complications early.

If you have a medical condition or are worried about changes during your pregnancy, our specialists can offer personalised care and monitoring. Fill in our online enquiry form to speak with our maternity team.

Possible complications of a high-risk pregnancy

In some cases, conditions present before or during pregnancy can lead to complications affecting either the mother, the baby, or both. These may include:

• birth defects 
• preterm delivery 
• high blood pressure from pregnancy (pre-eclampsia) 
• having seizures from pregnancy (eclampsia) 
• excessive bleeding – in labour, during delivery, or after delivery 
• C-section (caesarean delivery) 
• miscarriage 
• stillbirth 
• baby having brain development problems 

Many of these risks can be reduced through early specialist care, close monitoring and personalised treatment plans.

Managing a high-risk pregnancy  

There are many steps you can take to promote a healthy pregnancy:  

• eat a healthy, balanced diet 
• maintain a healthy body weight  
• keep active with gentle exercise 
• avoid smoking, drinking alcohol or taking recreational drugs 

If you are told you’re at high risk there are also several ways that you can reduce the risk of pregnancy complications, including: 

• talking to your GP or doctor before getting pregnant to optimise your health at the start of pregnancy  
• starting your pregnancy at a healthy weight  
• working with your consultant to manage any pre-existing medical conditions throughout your pregnancy 

Depending on your risk factors you may be referred to one of our maternal-fetal medicine specialists who will monitor and manage yours and your baby’s condition throughout pregnancy and birth.

For personalised advice on how to manage a high-risk pregnancy, book an appointment with our specialists.

Maternal and fetal medicine 

Maternal and fetal medicine, also known as perinatology, covers treatments for complications associated with a high-risk pregnancy. A maternal and fetal medicine specialist can coordinate your and your baby’s care during pregnancy and delivery, as well as fetal and antenatal investigations to determine if your child is affected by a genetic syndrome or disorder. 

Your fetal medicine specialist is trained in advanced fetal medicine scans to assess and treat potential complications with your unborn baby. Using ultrasound imaging (sonography), your consultant can frequently examine your baby’s growth, position and wellbeing.  

If you have a pre-existing medical condition, one of our fetal medicine specialists can provide counselling to create a treatment plan, reviewing any medication you are currently taking. Our consultants can also offer advice on how the condition could affect future pregnancies.