Why So Many Pregnancies Are Labelled ‘High Risk’ — And What We Lose in the Process
When ‘High Risk’ Feels Like the Only Option
Imagine you’re attending your routine antenatal appointment. You’re healthy, active, and feeling well. Yet after a quick scan or a blood pressure check, or a reweigh at 28/40 you’re told you’re now “high risk” — maybe due to a borderline reading or a past history or a BMI that over the course of your first and second trimester has just crept above “normal” but that doesn’t feel relevant somehow.
Suddenly, the pregnancy you imagined as joyful and calm feels overshadowed by worry and uncertainty. Additional appointments, scans, and specialist referrals fill your calendar. Your trust in your body starts to waver. The midwives and doctor certainly have no belief in you and your bodies ability to birth.
This scenario is all too common in today’s maternity care system.
Why Are So Many Pregnancies Labelled ‘High Risk’?
In the UK, the NHS maternity system aims to keep mothers and babies safe by identifying pregnancies that need extra care. This is, of course, important. But over recent years, there has been a noticeable trend toward over-medicalisation — where many pregnancies, even those low-risk and healthy, are flagged as “high risk.”
Reasons include:
Increased screening and monitoring technologies that pick up minor, often irrelevant, variations.
Risk-averse guidelines that err on the side of caution to avoid litigation or adverse outcomes.
Limited time in appointments leading to checklists rather than holistic conversations.
The Emotional Cost of Constantly Searching for Problems
Being labelled “high risk” can cause real emotional distress. It often leads to:
Anxiety and fear that overshadow the pregnancy experience.
A sense of loss of control over your own body and birth.
Pressure to accept interventions, even when they may not be necessary.
Fragmented care, with multiple specialists, various opinions, and nobody knowing you or your story uniquely.
For many families, this approach feels like a never-ending search for problems rather than a celebration of the natural process of pregnancy and birth.
What Does the Evidence Say?
Research shows that most pregnancies are low-risk and can be safely managed with continuity of care models. The NICE guidelines emphasise the importance of supporting physiological pregnancy and birth, reserving interventions for when they are truly needed.
However, the current system often struggles to balance safety with respect for normalcy, leading to unnecessary interventions and stress and it cannot support continuity of care models.
The Alternative: Personalised, Continuity-Based Midwifery Care
This is where independent midwifery can make a difference. With a focus on:
Building trust over time — you see the same midwife from early pregnancy through postnatal care.
Listening to your individual story rather than ticking boxes.
Supporting informed choices — respecting your decisions on birth place, breastfeeding, and health options.
Championing the natural rhythms of pregnancy while staying vigilant for real risks.
Families often tell me that having one midwife they know and trust makes the whole pregnancy feel calmer, more joyful, and more empowering.
If You’re Feeling Lost in the System…
You’re not alone. Many families want an alternative to rushed appointments, fragmented care, and a constant focus on risk. If you’re drawn to a more personalised, gentle, and supportive approach to pregnancy and birth, I’m here to help.
I’m an independent homebirth midwife based in East Sussex, offering continuity of care that honours your body’s wisdom and your family’s choices.
A Warm Invitation
If you’re seeking a midwife who will stand with you, listen deeply, and support your unique pregnancy journey, let’s connect.
📞 Book a free call by filling in the contact form to explore how independent midwifery care could be the calm, confident support you need.
Closing Thought
Pregnancy doesn’t have to feel like a medical checklist. It’s a natural, powerful journey — one that deserves care built on trust, respect, and connection.
