High Risk Pregnancy Pregnancy, itself, is not a high-risk condition. It is a normal part of reproductive life. Most pregnancies have a healthy, happy outcome. Some pregnancies though are complicated by problems with the mother's health, the health of the fetus (baby) or complications unique to pregnancy. These pregnancies are at "high risk" for developing problems and having a poor outcome. High-risk complications of pregnancy occur in only about 6 to 8 percent of all pregnancies. However, these complications result in 70 to 80 percent of the mortality and morbidity (illness) related to pregnancy for the mother and/or the child. Therefore, special care is needed to assure the best possible outcome for both. What are high-risk problems? Most of the time, pregnancy goes the way that it should and ends with the delivery of a healthy child. Sometimes, however, a parent may pass an inherited disorder to the baby or a woman may have a health condition before pregnancy or she may develop one during the pregnancy. Some complications occurring during pregnancy itself can put the mother and her baby at high risk. Pregnancies complicated by these high-risk problems require special care. Health problems of a mother are best identified and managed before pregnancy. This way, the woman can start her pregnancy in a healthy condition. The ideal way to accomplish this is to seek a consultation with a pregnancy specialist before you plan a pregnancy. This is especially important for women who are taking medications to control health problems, as some medications may harm a developing fetus. There may be safer alternative medications to take during pregnancy that will continue to keep you healthy. Women who have health problems and start specific care before conceiving a baby have the best chance of a healthy pregnancy. Keep in mind that most high-risk pregnancies have good outcomes! Women can improve their chances for a healthy outcome by seeking early care, even prior to becoming pregnant, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.