High risk pregnancy

A doctor discussing birth options with a pregnant woman and her partner. All three people are wearing masks.

If your primary care provider, obstetrician or other specialist has a concern regarding your pregnancy, you may be referred to a maternal-fetal medicine specialist, which is a health care provider who specializes in caring for those with high-risk pregnancies and babies with complex needs.

What is a High Risk Pregnancy? Risk Factors

A pregnancy may be considered high risk if you:

  • Are pregnant with more than one baby
  • Are 35 or over
  • Have had significant problems with previous pregnancies
  • Have a health problem or develop a health problem that may worsen during pregnancy (such as gestational diabetes)
  • Have a baby diagnosed with a medical condition that requires special care

Care for High Risk Pregnancies

Most patients with a hish risk prefnancy can continue to see their primary care provider while the perinatologist works with your provider as a consultant. Some patients, based on medical history or pregnancy course, may be recommended to be transferred to a maternal-fetal medicine specialist.

Minnesota Perinatal Physicians provides high-risk pregnancy care for those in the five-state region. Our perinatologists care for mothers and their babies while they are in utero (in the womb). Minnesota Perinatal Physicians has 5 high risk pregnancy center locations in the Twin Cities. Meet our perinatologists.

Midwest Fetal Care Center maternal-fetal medicine experts diagnose and treat potentially life-threatening conditions in babies before they are born. Our fetal surgeons are skilled in procedures such as fetal transfusion for anemia, fetal surgery for twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome, and more. Meet our care team.