High-Risk Pregnancy Care and Birth Planning

High-Risk Pregnancy: Causes, Monitoring and Birth Planning

Prof. Dr. İkbal Kaygusuz Last reviewed: 25 September 2026 2 min read

In short: A high-risk pregnancy needs closer monitoring than usual for the health of the mother or baby. Main causes include older maternal age, multiple pregnancy, IVF pregnancies, gestational diabetes, high blood pressure and pre-eclampsia, previous preterm birth, fetal growth restriction and chronic conditions. With appropriate monitoring and timely birth planning, most high-risk pregnancies end in a healthy birth.

Which pregnancies are high risk?

Mothers aged 35 or over, or under 18
Twin and triplet pregnancies
Pregnancies after IVF and other assisted reproduction
Gestational or pre-existing diabetes
Chronic hypertension, gestational hypertension and pre-eclampsia
Previous preterm birth, recurrent miscarriage or stillbirth
Fetal growth restriction or abnormal amniotic fluid
Placental problems (placenta praevia, placenta accreta)
Thyroid, kidney, heart and autoimmune conditions, clotting disorders
Rhesus disease

Follow-up after IVF

IVF pregnancies are monitored more carefully even when they progress well, particularly for multiple pregnancy, pre-eclampsia and placental problems. Continuing with the same physician from IVF through pregnancy means the full treatment history is known.

How is a high-risk pregnancy monitored?

Monitoring is tailored to the type of risk and usually includes:

More frequent visits, blood pressure and urine protein checks
Serial growth scans
Doppler assessment of fetal and placental blood flow
Fetal heart monitoring (NST) when needed
Cervical length measurement to assess preterm birth risk
Preventive treatment such as low-dose aspirin for women at high risk of pre-eclampsia
Joint care with maternal-fetal medicine, endocrinology or cardiology when needed

Planning the timing and mode of birth

The timing and mode of birth are planned together according to the mother's and baby's condition. Many high-risk pregnancies can end in vaginal birth; in some cases a planned caesarean is safer. Birth should take place in a hospital with neonatal intensive care.

Seek care immediately for

Severe headache, visual disturbance, sudden swelling of the face and hands, upper right abdominal pain, vaginal bleeding, leaking fluid, regular contractions or reduced movements.

Where procedures are performed
Births and surgeries are performed at Anlaşmalı Hastane. Examination, planning and follow-up take place at the clinic.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is an IVF pregnancy high risk?

IVF pregnancies are monitored more closely for certain risks, especially with twins. Single embryo transfer reduces this risk. Visit frequency depends on how the pregnancy progresses.

Can I have a vaginal birth with a high-risk pregnancy?

Yes, vaginal birth is possible in many high-risk pregnancies. The decision depends on the mother's and baby's condition.

Sources

ACOG Practice Bulletin No. 222: Gestational Hypertension and Preeclampsia, 2020.
Adipokine, adropin and endothelin-1 levels in intrauterine growth restricted neonates and their mothers. Journal of Perinatal Medicine, 2016.
ACOG Practice Bulletin No. 231: Multifetal Gestations, 2021.

The information on this website is for general information only and does not replace a medical consultation.