High-risk pregnancy care in Kolkata
“High-risk” does not mean something will go wrong. It means the pregnancy needs closer watching so that problems are caught early. Most high-risk pregnancies end with a healthy mother and baby. Dr. Brahma has managed them for over 25 years, including many that began with IVF at Sparsha.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Debalina Brahma, MBBS, DGO, DRCOG, DFFP (London)Updated 21 October 2026
What makes a pregnancy high-risk
- High blood pressure before or during pregnancy, and pre-eclampsia
- Diabetes, including gestational diabetes found on the OGTT
- Thyroid disease, anaemia, heart or kidney disease, epilepsy, lupus or rheumatoid arthritis
- Twins or triplets
- IVF pregnancy, or pregnancy after a long period of infertility
- Age over 35, or very young age
- Previous miscarriages, stillbirth, premature birth, or a previous caesarean
- Placenta problems: low-lying placenta (placenta previa), or the baby not growing well
- Rh-negative mother, or a short cervix
How care is different
- Closer monitoring: more frequent visits, home BP or sugar records, and blood tests.
- Extra scans: growth and Doppler scans to check blood flow to the baby, cervical length scans where needed.
- Medicines that lower risk: for example low-dose aspirin from 12 weeks for women at high risk of pre-eclampsia, progesterone for a short cervix, insulin or metformin for diabetes.
- Teamwork with physicians, endocrinologists and neonatologists when needed.
- A delivery plan: timing, place and method decided in advance, with a hospital that has a newborn intensive care unit when that is needed.
High BP and pre-eclampsia
Pre-eclampsia is raised BP with protein in the urine after 20 weeks. It can affect the mother's kidneys, liver and brain and the baby's growth. Warning signs are a severe headache, blurred vision, pain under the ribs, and sudden swelling of the face and hands. Regular BP checks catch it early; the definitive treatment is delivery at the safest time.
Diabetes in pregnancy
Gestational diabetes is common in Indian women. Most manage it with diet and walking; some need metformin or insulin. Good control prevents a very large baby, birth injuries and low sugar in the newborn. Sugar usually returns to normal after delivery, but the risk of type 2 diabetes later is higher, so a check at six weeks and then yearly is advised.
When to go to hospital
Questions
Can I have a normal delivery in a high-risk pregnancy?
Often, yes. Many women with controlled BP or diabetes, or after one previous caesarean, deliver normally. The method is decided on the medical facts closer to the time.
Is an IVF pregnancy high-risk?
It is watched more closely, mainly because of the higher rates of twins, older maternal age, and slightly higher risks of BP problems and early delivery. Most IVF pregnancies go smoothly.
Is pregnancy after 35 safe?
Yes, for the great majority. Screening for Down syndrome, BP and sugar is especially important, and extra growth scans may be advised.