More care, planned early, for a pregnancy that needs it.
Being told your pregnancy is “high-risk” is frightening, but it usually means one thing: you and your baby need to be watched more closely. We plan that care with you from early on, with scans, laboratory, theatre and a 24-hour emergency desk in the same building.
What “high-risk” means.
A pregnancy is called high-risk when something about the mother’s health, a past pregnancy or the current one makes problems more likely than usual. It does not mean something will go wrong. Most high-risk pregnancies end with a healthy mother and baby, because the risk was known and planned for.
Some risks are known before pregnancy, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, thyroid disease or a previous caesarean. Others appear along the way: blood pressure rising, sugar going up, the baby not growing as expected, or the placenta lying low.
In practice it means more frequent visits and tests, scans timed to answer specific questions, and a clear plan for when and how the baby should be born. You will always know what is being checked, and why.
Closer follow-up
More frequent visits, with each one planned around what needs watching.
3D/4D sonography
Growth and wellbeing scans in-house, read by the doctor who sees you.
Laboratory on site
Blood pressure, sugar, thyroid and blood counts checked without a trip elsewhere.
Ready at any hour
A 24-hour emergency desk, with the delivery room next to the operating theatre.
What this covers at our hospital.
Health conditions
- High blood pressure and pre-eclampsia
- Diabetes, before or during pregnancy
- Thyroid disorders
- Anaemia
- Rh-negative blood group
Past pregnancies
- A previous caesarean section
- Repeated miscarriage
- An earlier premature birth
- Complications in an earlier pregnancy or delivery
This pregnancy
- Twins or more
- A low-lying placenta (placenta praevia)
- A baby who is not growing as expected
- Bleeding during pregnancy
- Pregnancy after infertility treatment or IUI
- Mothers over 35, or very young mothers
Step by step.
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01
Early assessment
Your history, past pregnancies and reports are reviewed so any risk is known from the start.
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02
A monitoring plan
Visits, blood tests and scans scheduled around your particular risk, not a one-size calendar.
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03
Delivery planning
When, where and how the baby should be born, including painless delivery or a planned caesarean if needed.
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04
After the birth
Close checks for mother and baby, and follow-up for conditions such as blood pressure or sugar.
What patients ask us.
Does high-risk mean I will need a caesarean?
Not necessarily. Many high-risk pregnancies end in a normal delivery. A caesarean is advised only when it is safer for you or the baby, and the reasons will be explained to you in advance wherever possible.
How often will I need to come in?
More often than in a routine pregnancy, and more often again towards the end. How often depends on the risk: a mother with high blood pressure may need weekly checks late in pregnancy, while others need only a few extra scans. Your doctor will give you a schedule.
What warning signs should I watch for?
Come in at once, at any hour, for bleeding, leaking fluid, the baby moving less than usual, a severe headache, blurred vision, swelling of the face or hands, severe abdominal pain, or fits. Call on the way so the team is ready.
Can I have a painless delivery in a high-risk pregnancy?
Often, yes. Pain relief in labour can even help in some conditions, such as high blood pressure. Whether it suits you depends on your health and how labour progresses, and your doctor will discuss it with you beforehand.
This page is general information, not medical advice for your own case. Your consultant will advise you after an examination.
Other specialist care at the hospital.
Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery
Key-hole gynaecological and general surgery through small cuts, for less pain, smaller scars and a quicker return home.
Learn moreInfertility Treatment
Tests, treatment and counselling for couples finding it hard to conceive, with both partners looked after together.
Learn moreIUI Treatment
Intrauterine insemination with follicle tracking by scan and semen preparation in the hospital’s own IUI lab.
Learn moreRecurrent Pregnancy Loss
Tests to look for a cause after repeated miscarriages, treatment where one is found, and close care through the next pregnancy.
Learn more