What's a "High-Risk" Pregnancy?

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.

If 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.