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Trichy Fetal Medicine and Fertility Centre
Twins and high-risk pregnancy

What Makes a Pregnancy High Risk?

A high-risk pregnancy needs extra monitoring, but most go on to have healthy babies. Learn the common causes and what they mean for you.

Written and medically reviewed by the FMC Trichy clinical team3 October 20264 min read
In this guide
Doctor reviewing a chart with a pregnant woman in a clinic

Reasons related to the mother

  • Age under 18 or over 35.
  • High blood pressure, diabetes, thyroid disease, kidney or heart disease.
  • Autoimmune conditions such as lupus.
  • Being significantly underweight or overweight.
  • Blood clotting disorders.
  • Smoking, alcohol or drug use.

Reasons from past pregnancies

  • Previous miscarriages, stillbirth or preterm birth.
  • Previous baby with a growth problem or a birth defect.
  • Pre-eclampsia in an earlier pregnancy.
  • Previous caesarean section with complications.

Reasons in the current pregnancy

  • Twins or multiple pregnancy.
  • Pregnancy after fertility treatment.
  • Gestational diabetes or pre-eclampsia.
  • Low-lying placenta.
  • A baby measuring small or large.
  • Too much or too little amniotic fluid.
  • A screening result suggesting a chromosomal or structural concern.
  • Infections such as TORCH infections.

What extra care looks like

High-risk care may include more frequent antenatal visits, additional scans, blood tests, medicines, and planning delivery at a hospital with the right facilities. A fetal medicine specialist often works with your obstetrician.

What you can do

  • Start antenatal care early and attend every visit.
  • Control existing conditions as advised.
  • Take folic acid and prescribed medicines.
  • Eat well, rest, and avoid tobacco and alcohol.
  • Know the warning signs: reduced movements, bleeding, severe headache, leaking fluid or pain.

Putting it together

Many women with high-risk pregnancies deliver healthy babies with the right support. Dr Malathi G. Prasad at Trichy Fetal Medicine and Fertility Centre in Trichy can assess your risks and plan the care you need.

If your doctor has suggested this, our second opinion scan page lists what is included and how to book; the team is happy to talk it through first.

Related guides

Common questions

Sources

  1. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Antenatal care (NG201), 2021. · nice.org.uk
  2. NHS. Your antenatal care and appointments. · nhs.uk

This guide is for general information and does not replace a consultation with a fetal medicine specialist.

In line with the PCPNDT Act, we do not perform or support sex determination.

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