High-Risk Pregnancy Care | Brigham Wellesley OB/GYN Associates
Hearing the words “high-risk pregnancy” can feel scary and overwhelming, but a high-risk classification is not a verdict. It’s a signal that closer attention and monitoring will help guide you and your baby toward the healthiest outcome possible. At Brigham Wellesley OB/GYN Associates, we’ve supported countless women through high-risk pregnancies to safe, successful deliveries, and we bring that same expertise and reassurance to every patient diagnosed with a high-risk pregnancy who walks through our doors.
A high-risk pregnancy simply means there’s an elevated chance of complications for you, your baby, your delivery, or a combination of these things. It doesn’t mean complications are guaranteed, and it doesn’t mean a healthy delivery is out of reach. With the right care team and the right plan, most high-risk pregnancies result in healthy babies and healthy mothers.
To schedule a high-risk pregnancy consultation in Wellesley, call (781) 235-4000 or request an appointment online. Specialized care and close monitoring for high-risk pregnancies are available with a team that never loses sight of you and your pregnancy goals.
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What Does “High-Risk” Actually Mean?
Every pregnancy carries some degree of risk. Your body is doing incredible things during pregnancy, like building organs, constructing eyeballs, and developing a brain. That’s an incredible amount of stress and energy being used over nine months. A pregnancy is typically classified as high-risk when specific factors increase the likelihood of complications during pregnancy, labor, or delivery.
This classification isn’t about alarming you. It’s about equipping your care team with the information needed to watch for the right things at the right times, so that if something does come up, it’s caught early and managed quickly.
Conditions That Can Make a Pregnancy High-Risk
Preterm Labor
When labor begins before week 37, babies may not have had enough time to fully develop, which can lead to health complications after birth. There’s rarely a single cause, but cervical abnormalities and certain infections or diseases are common contributing factors that your provider will screen for throughout your pregnancy.
Preeclampsia
Preeclampsia is incredibly common. It’s a condition that causes blood vessels to constrict, increasing blood pressure and potentially limiting blood flow to organs like the liver, kidneys, and brain. It can be serious for both mother and baby if left unmonitored. The encouraging news is that maintaining a healthy weight, eating well, and staying active—and, for some women, taking a daily dose of aspirin—before and during your pregnancy can significantly lower your risk of developing preeclampsia while you’re pregnant.
Gestational Diabetes
Some women who have never had diabetes before develop it during pregnancy. When your blood sugar becomes elevated during pregnancy, which can commonly happen to many women, it can lead to a larger-than-average baby and other complications. However, with consistent monitoring and management, most women go on to have healthy deliveries, and the condition typically resolves after birth.
Factors That May Put a Pregnancy in the High-Risk Category
A pregnancy may be considered high-risk based on one factor or a combination of several, including:
- Maternal age: Pregnancies in women under 17 or over 35 carry a somewhat higher risk of complications, with that risk rising further after age 40.
- Medical and pregnancy history: A previous preterm delivery, low birth weight, or C-section can influence how future pregnancies are classified. Existing conditions like diabetes, blood pressure disorders, anemia, or certain infections also factor in and contribute to a high-risk pregnancy.
- Lifestyle factors: A history of smoking, alcohol use, drug use, poor nutrition, and being significantly over- or underweight can all increase the risk for both mother and baby.
If any of these apply to you, it doesn’t mean your pregnancy will be difficult. It means your care plan will be built to monitor you closely and respond quickly if needed.
Building Your Care Plan at Brigham Wellesley OB/GYN Associates
Preconception Counseling
If you know you may be considered high-risk before you even conceive, a preconception counseling visit is one of the most valuable steps you can take. We’ll walk through your specific risk factors, discuss lifestyle adjustments, and help you enter pregnancy as prepared as possible.
More Frequent Checkups
While most pregnant women attend around ten prenatal visits during their pregnancy, high-risk pregnancies often call for more visits, particularly in the second and third trimesters. These additional visits aren’t a formality. They’re where subtle changes get caught before they become serious.
Specialized Testing
Beyond standard prenatal screening, your provider may recommend:
Targeted Ultrasound
Targeted ultrasounds offer detailed imaging that helps your OB/GYN identify structural abnormalities or developmental concerns.
Cervical Ultrasound
Measuring cervical length can help assess the risk of preterm labor.
Amniotic Fluid Test
This test analyzes fluid from the uterus to screen for genetic conditions.
Fetal Fibronectin Test
A vaginal swab that can help predict the likelihood of preterm labor.
Not every test applies to every patient. Your OB/GYN will recommend only what’s relevant to your specific risk profile, so your care plan feels targeted, not overwhelming or unnecessary. You can also rest assured that you have the reins when it comes to your care. Whether you move forward with a test is entirely up to you.
Why Choose Brigham Wellesley OB/GYN Associates?
It’s easy for the phrase “high-risk” to feel clinical and cold, but behind every chart is a woman navigating real fear, real hope, and real questions. At Brigham Wellesley OB/GYN Associates, we make space for all of it. Our providers take the time to explain what’s happening, why a particular test or visit matters, and what your options look like at every turn, so you feel like an informed partner in your care, not a passive patient.
With decades of experience managing complex and high-risk pregnancies, our team combines clinical expertise with a genuinely attentive, individualized approach. We know that a high-risk diagnosis can bring anxiety, and we’re committed to meeting that anxiety with clear communication, consistent monitoring, and a care plan built specifically around you. From your first consultation through delivery, you’ll have a team in your corner that treats your questions and your peace of mind as a priority.
Schedule Your High-Risk Pregnancy Consultation at Brigham Wellesley OB/GYN Associates Today!
If you’ve been told your pregnancy is high-risk, or you suspect it may be based on your health history, don’t wait to get the specialized support you deserve. To schedule your consultation in Wellesley, call (781) 235-4000 or request an appointment online.
High-Risk Pregnancy Care FAQs
Does a high-risk classification mean something is already wrong?
Not at all. It means certain factors increase the chance of complications arising during your pregnancy, so your care will include closer monitoring. It does not mean that a problem currently exists.
Can I still have a vaginal delivery with a high-risk pregnancy?
In many cases, yes. Your OB/GYN will discuss the safest delivery plan for your specific situation as your pregnancy progresses. If your goal is to have a vaginal birth, we will do everything in our power to help you safely and successfully achieve that goal, but we do encourage you to keep an open mind, as delivery can be unpredictable.
Will I be referred to a specialist?
Depending on your risk factors, your OB/GYN may coordinate with a maternal-fetal medicine specialist for additional support while continuing to manage your overall care.
How often will I need to come in for appointments?
How frequently you’ll need to come in for appointments will vary based on your individual risk factors. Many high-risk patients are seen more frequently than the standard prenatal schedule, especially in the later trimesters. The reason for this is simply so that your team can keep a close eye on any potential issues and do their very best to ensure a safe delivery for you and your baby.
What can I do at home to support a healthier pregnancy?
To support a healthier pregnancy, we always encourage our expecting mothers to maintain a nutritious diet, stay active as recommended by their provider, avoid alcohol and tobacco use of any kind, and attend every scheduled appointment. These simple habits can all make a meaningful difference in the development and delivery of your baby, as well as your postpartum experience.