Being told your pregnancy is high-risk can feel frightening. The phrase itself carries weight — it sounds like something is wrong, like you’re in danger, like the path ahead is uncertain. But a high-risk designation is more accurately understood as a clinical signal that your pregnancy warrants additional monitoring, closer follow-up, and a more individualized care approach. It means your providers are paying close attention. And that, ultimately, is a good thing.
At Ovation OB/GYN in Frisco, Texas, our board-certified providers — Dr. Julie Vu, Dr. Laura M. Bradley, and Dr. Karen Edwards-Key — care for patients across the full spectrum of obstetric complexity. Here’s what you need to know if you’ve been told your pregnancy is high-risk.
“She was very patient and thorough in her responses to my questions as this is my first pregnancy. I didn’t feel rushed and truly felt like I was heard.”
— Ovation OB/GYN Patient Testimonial
What Makes a Pregnancy High-Risk?
The term “high-risk pregnancy” encompasses a wide range of situations, and no two high-risk pregnancies look exactly alike. Some factors that contribute to a high-risk designation are present before pregnancy begins; others develop during the pregnancy itself.
Maternal age is one of the most common contributing factors. Women under 17 face elevated risks of preterm birth, anemia, and preeclampsia. Women over 35 — a group often referred to as “advanced maternal age” in clinical settings — face higher rates of chromosomal abnormalities, gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and cesarean delivery. These risks increase more significantly after age 40.
Pre-existing health conditions also play a major role. Diabetes — both type 1 and type 2 — requires careful blood sugar management throughout pregnancy, as poorly controlled glucose can affect fetal development and increase the risk of complications at delivery. High blood pressure, kidney disease, thyroid disorders, autoimmune conditions such as lupus, heart disease, and clotting disorders all require individualized management when pregnancy is added to the picture.
Multiple gestation — carrying twins, triplets, or more — is inherently higher risk regardless of the mother’s health status. Multiple pregnancies carry elevated rates of preterm birth, growth discordance between babies, twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (in identical twins), and complications at delivery.
Previous pregnancy history matters significantly as well. A history of preterm birth is one of the strongest predictors of preterm birth in a subsequent pregnancy. Prior preeclampsia, placental abruption, cesarean delivery, or pregnancy loss all inform how a current pregnancy should be managed.
Conditions That Develop During Pregnancy
Some pregnancies become high-risk because of conditions that arise after conception. Gestational diabetes develops when the body cannot produce enough insulin to meet the increased demands of pregnancy and is typically diagnosed between 24 and 28 weeks with a glucose challenge test. It requires dietary management, sometimes medication, and careful monitoring of fetal growth.
Preeclampsia is a condition characterized by high blood pressure and signs of organ dysfunction — most commonly involving the kidneys — that develops after 20 weeks of pregnancy. It affects 5 to 8 percent of pregnancies and is a leading cause of maternal and fetal morbidity worldwide. Early recognition and management are critical, as severe preeclampsia can escalate rapidly.
Placenta previa occurs when the placenta partially or completely covers the cervical opening, which can cause significant bleeding and typically requires cesarean delivery. Placenta accreta spectrum — a group of conditions in which the placenta attaches too deeply into the uterine wall — is another serious placental complication that requires careful planning and often delivery at a specialized center. Fetal growth restriction, in which the baby is not growing at an expected rate, is another condition that may develop mid-pregnancy and requires close surveillance.
What High-Risk Care Looks Like in Practice
If your pregnancy is classified as high-risk, you can expect your prenatal care to look somewhat different from a standard low-risk pregnancy. You’ll likely have more frequent appointments — sometimes every one to two weeks rather than monthly in the earlier trimesters. You may have more frequent ultrasounds to monitor fetal growth, amniotic fluid levels, and placental function. Specialized monitoring tests such as non-stress tests (NSTs), which track the baby’s heart rate in response to movement, or biophysical profiles may be added to your visit schedule. Additional blood work to monitor blood pressure markers, kidney function, blood sugar, or other relevant indicators will be part of your routine care. Our obstetrics team coordinates closely with maternal-fetal medicine specialists (perinatologists) when additional consultation is warranted, ensuring you have access to the full breadth of expertise your pregnancy may require.
What You Can Do
Navigating a high-risk pregnancy can feel overwhelming, but there’s a great deal within your control. Attending every scheduled appointment — even when you feel fine — is one of the most important things you can do. High-risk monitoring is designed to detect changes early, and showing up consistently is what makes that possible.
Report new or worsening symptoms promptly. Sudden swelling in the face or hands, severe headaches, visual changes, significant abdominal pain, decreased fetal movement, or vaginal bleeding are all symptoms that warrant an immediate call to our office — don’t wait for your next scheduled visit. Take any prescribed medications exactly as directed, and if you have questions about your medications during pregnancy, ask us before making any changes.
Healthy lifestyle habits matter more in a high-risk pregnancy than in any other. A balanced diet, appropriate physical activity (as cleared by your provider), adequate hydration, and avoiding tobacco, alcohol, and recreational substances all support the best possible outcome. If you’re managing a chronic condition like diabetes or high blood pressure, close coordination between your OB/GYN and your primary care provider or specialist is essential.
Emotional Wellbeing in a High-Risk Pregnancy
It would be incomplete to talk about high-risk pregnancy without acknowledging the emotional toll. Anxiety, worry, fear, and grief — particularly in pregnancies complicated by prior loss or a fetal diagnosis — are completely understandable responses to an inherently uncertain situation. If you’re struggling emotionally, please tell us. Mental health is part of prenatal health, and we can help connect you with the right support.
“Dr. Bradley is the best! She is empathetic and is wonderful at addressing any concerns we have. Love Dr Bradley!! I’m sad I’m towards the end of my pregnancy so I won’t get to see her as much. I have been recommending Dr Bradley to everyone we know. If we’re lucky enough to get pregnant again, we would definitely love to be cared for by Dr Bradley again too.“
— Ovation OB/GYN Patient Testimonial
Expert Obstetric Care in Frisco, TX
At Ovation OB/GYN, we understand that a high-risk pregnancy requires not just clinical expertise, but genuine partnership between provider and patient. Dr. Vu, Dr. Bradley, and Dr. Edwards-Key are committed to keeping you informed, supported, and confident every step of the way — from the first appointment through delivery and beyond.
If you have questions about your pregnancy or would like to establish care with our team, request an appointment in Frisco, TX or call us at 972.777.3232.