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Risk Factors
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Identifying potential risks of a pregnancy is an important part of preconception care. Some women have increased chances for having a high-risk pregnancy because of genetic background, existing medical conditions, their lifestyle, or factors that may develop with the pregnancy.
Pregnancy risk factors include, but are not limited to, the following:
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- Mother is younger than 18 years old or older than 35.
- Mother is underweight or overweight for height.
- Mother has anemia (low red blood cell count) and poor nutrition status.
- Low socioeconomic status.
- Previously given birth more than four times.
- Previous preterm birth (birth before 37 weeks gestation).
- Previous birth of a very large or very small baby.
- Previous pregnancy loss.
- Family history of genetic disease or previous baby with a birth defect
- substance use (cigarettes, alcohol, drugs).
- Pre-existing medical conditions including diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease.
- Infertility medications or treatments (more likely to result in multiple births).
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There are many external risk factors, including alcohol, drugs, smoke, high temperatures, radiation exposure, and high altitudes that can pose a serious threat to a developing fetus.
Listed in the directory below, you will find some additional information regarding risk factors for pregnancy, for which we have provided a brief overview.
If you cannot find the information in which you are interested, please visit the High-Risk Pregnancy Online Resources page in this Web site for more information on that topic.
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Alcohol and Pregnancy
Smoking and Pregnancy
Illegal Drug Use and Pregnancy
Medications and Pregnancy
Medical Conditions and Pregnancy
Return to the High-Risk Pregnancy Home Page
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