All pregnancies involve a certain degree of risk to both mother and baby. But, factors present before pregnancy or that develop during pregnancy can place the mother and baby at higher risk for problems. Women with high-risk pregnancies may need care from specialists or a team of health care providers to help promote healthy pregnancy and birth.

Factors present before pregnancy that can increase risk may include:

• Young or old maternal age
• Being overweight or underweight
• Having had problems in previous pregnancies, such as miscarriage, stillbirth, or preterm labor or birth
• Pre-existing health conditions, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or HIV/AIDS

During pregnancy, problems may also develop even in a woman who was previously healthy. These may include (but are not limited to) gestational diabetes or preeclampsia/eclampsia.

Getting good prenatal care and seeing a health care provider regularly during pregnancy are important ways to promote a healthy pregnancy.

Where can I get more information about pregnancy?

• Am I at risk for gestational diabetes?
• Managing gestational diabetes: A patient's guide to a healthy pregnancy
• NIH State-of-the-Science Conference on Cesarean Delivery on Maternal Request—Final Statement