High Risk Pregnancy

A woman’s pregnancy might be considered high risk if she:

• is age 19 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.