Because of a lapse in government funding, the information on this website may not be up to date, transactions submitted via the website may not be processed, and the agency may not be able to respond to inquiries until appropriations are enacted.

The NIH Clinical Center (the research hospital of NIH) is open. For more details about its operating status, please visit cc.nih.gov.

Updates regarding government operating status and resumption of normal operations can be found at OPM.gov.

Can a high-risk pregnancy be prevented?

High-risk pregnancy is not always preventable. Some factors, such as chronic conditions and lifestyle factors, can be treated and controlled before pregnancy to help reduce risk. But some conditions aren’t treatable or, even if well controlled, still mean higher than normal risk. Other problems may start in pregnancy.

Staying healthy before and during pregnancy is a good way to lower the risk of having a difficult pregnancy. Healthcare providers recommend that women who are thinking about becoming pregnant visit a healthcare provider to make sure they are in good pre-pregnancy health.

Before and during pregnancy, a woman can take steps to help reduce her risk of certain problems.1 Visit the Pre-Pregnancy Care and Prenatal Care topic for more detailed information.

Citations

  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2016). Folic acid: Recommendations. Retrieved February 19, 2018, from https://www.cdc.gov/folic-acid/hcp/clinical-overview
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