High-Risk Pregnancy and Pregnancy after 35: What You Need to Know

Pregnancy is a unique journey for every woman. For some, their pregnancy can be considered “high-risk,” meaning that there’s an increased likelihood of complications for the mother or baby. 

Understanding what qualifies a pregnancy as high-risk – including the impact of a maternal age of 35 or older – helps you take proactive steps and work confidently with your care team. 

“If a high-risk pregnancy is not managed appropriately, it can result in a wide variety of outcomes,” says Dr. Tiffany Bersani, OBGYN at Beaufort Memorial Obstetrics and Gynecology Specialists. “Most of these outcomes result in preterm delivery.”

What is a High-Risk Pregnancy? 

A high-risk pregnancy occurs when health conditions or circumstances increase the chance of complications. These risks can be present before conception or they can develop during pregnancy. 

Common contributors include:

• Advanced maternal age (35 and older)
• Pre-existing medical conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure
• Gestational diabetes developed during pregnancy
• Anxiety or depression
• Obesity
• Use of certain medications or assisted reproductive technologies
• Being pregnant with more than one baby (twins, triplets, etc.)
• Pregnancy-related complications in prior births

Identifying and managing these factors helps your care team tailor prenatal monitoring, screenings and interventions to protect both your health and the baby’s. 

Read More: Your Pregnancy Journey: Rules of the Road

Age and Pregnancy 

More women are choosing to have children later in life. While many women age 35 and older have healthy pregnancies and babies, age can influence fertility and risk. 

• Slower conceptions: Egg quantity and quality naturally decrease with age, which can make conception take longer.
• Higher likelihood of complications: Compared to younger women, those over 35 have increased risks of preeclampsia (high blood pressure), premature birth, low birth weight, miscarriage and certain genetic conditions.
• Genetic screening options: Advances in non-invasive genetic testing help identify conditions like Down syndrome with less risk than older procedures. 

Importantly, a healthy lifestyle and strong prenatal care are significant contributors to positive outcomes, and age alone does not determine pregnancy success. 

Managing Your Health: What You Can Do 

Whether you’re classified as high-risk because of age, medical history or other factors, proactive care makes a difference: 

Before and During Pregnancy 

• Preconception counseling: Talk with your OBGYN about your health history, medications, lifestyle factors and risk reduction strategies before trying to conceive.
• Regular prenatal appointments: Frequent checkups and targeted screenings help monitor your heath and your baby’s development, catching issues early.
• Specialized care if needed: For complex risks, your provider may recommend care from a maternal-fetal medicine specialist trained in high-risk pregnancy management.
• Healthy habits: Focus on balanced nutrition, folic acid supplementation, appropriate physical activity, and avoiding smoking, alcohol and other harmful substances. 

“It is always important to take care of your health and live the best lifestyle you can,” Dr. Bersani says. “If you do become pregnant, seek care from an obstetrician who feels comfortable treating any pre-existing conditions you might have. And always ask questions. It is important that you are well-informed about the treatment plan and understand the reasoning behind it.”

Every pregnancy is different. Personalized care, open communication with your provider and informed decision-making can empower you throughout your pregnancy journey. The team at Beaufort Memorial Obstetrics and Gynecology Specialists is trained to provide the highest quality of care to manage high-risk pregnancies. Our specialists also collaborate with maternal/fetal medicine physicians at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston.

Whatever your age, if you are planning a family and looking for an OBGYN, request an appointment with a Beaufort Memorial provider in Beaufort or Bluffton. 

Updated: December 2025