High-risk pregnancy after IVF — what extra precautions do I need?
Dr Mannan Gupta
Medically Reviewed by Dr. Mannan Gupta On Jan 19, 2026
When you have walked the long, emotional path of In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) to finally see a positive pregnancy test, the joy is often mixed with a new kind of anxiety.
“Is my baby safe?” “Is my pregnancy high risk because it’s IVF?” These are the questions I hear almost daily in my clinic.
As an IVF specialist with over a decade of experience, let me first offer you reassurance: Most IVF pregnancies progress smoothly and result in healthy babies. However, because IVF pregnancies are often achieved after overcoming fertility challenges, we treat them with a higher degree of vigilance.
Being labelled “high-risk” isn’t a prediction of trouble; it is a medical strategy to ensure you and your little one receive the extra care and monitoring you deserve.
The “precious” nature of an IVF pregnancy means we leave nothing to chance. From advanced maternal age to the specific protocols used during treatment, several factors might require us to take extra precautions.
Understanding these nuances helps you move from fear to empowerment, ensuring you do everything possible to support a healthy journey to parenthood.
Key Takeaways
- Vigilance is Key: IVF pregnancies are monitored more closely to prevent and manage potential complications early.
- Not Always High-Risk: IVF itself doesn’t guarantee complications, but associated factors like age or multiples can increase risk.
- Precautionary Measures: Extra scans, hormonal support, and specialised antenatal care are standard for IVF pregnancies.
- Lifestyle Matters: Simple adjustments in diet, stress management, and activity levels play a crucial role in safety.
- Delivery Planning: Early discussions about delivery methods (C-section vs. vaginal) are essential for IVF pregnancies.
Why is an IVF pregnancy often considered high-risk?
It is a common misconception that the IVF procedure itself makes a pregnancy dangerous. In reality, it is often the underlying reasons for infertility or the characteristics of the parents that contribute to the risk profile.
For instance, many women undergoing IVF are of advanced maternal age (over 35), which naturally increases the risk of gestational diabetes and preeclampsia.
To better understand the broader landscape of maternal health in our country, it is helpful to look at what actually makes a pregnancy ‘high risk’ in India, where lifestyle factors and genetic predispositions often intersect with fertility journeys.
We simply monitor these factors more aggressively to stay one step ahead.
Does carrying twins or multiples change the precautions?
Yes, significantly. IVF treatment increases the chance of multiple births if more than one embryo is transferred. While twins are a double blessing, they are undeniably a high-risk factor.
If you are carrying multiples, your precautions will include:
- More Frequent Ultrasounds: To monitor the growth of each baby and check for twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (in identical twins).
- Cervical Monitoring: We check the length of your cervix regularly to predict and prevent preterm labour.
- Earlier Maternity Leave: You may be advised to stop working or reduce activity earlier than a mother carrying a singleton to reduce the strain on your body.
How should I adjust my lifestyle for an IVF pregnancy?
You have worked hard to get here, so protecting your pregnancy becomes a priority. While you don’t need to wrap yourself in cotton wool, sensible adjustments are necessary.
- Nutritional Focus: A diet rich in protein, iron, and calcium is non-negotiable. We often prescribe specific supplements like high-dose folic acid and Vitamin D.
- Activity Levels: High-impact exercises (like heavy lifting or intense cardio) are generally discouraged in the first trimester. Gentle walking and prenatal yoga (under guidance) are excellent for keeping blood circulation healthy without undue stress.
- Stress Management: Cortisol (the stress hormone) can impact blood sugar and blood pressure. Mindfulness, meditation, or simply ensuring you get 8 hours of sleep are “prescriptions” I give to all my patients.
What are the warning signs I should never ignore?
“Better safe than sorry” is our motto. While many women ask, “Is bleeding in pregnancy always a sign of high-risk pregnancy?” and find that light spotting can be normal, any heavy bleeding needs immediate clinical evaluation.
You should contact your IVF specialist clinic in New Delhi or your obstetrician immediately if you experience:
- Vaginal Bleeding: While spotting can be normal, heavy bleeding needs immediate checks.
- Severe Abdominal Pain: Any sharp or persistent pain should be evaluated to rule out complications.
- Reduced Fetal Movement: Once you start feeling the baby kick (usually after 20-24 weeks), any significant reduction in movement warrants an immediate check-up.
- High Blood Pressure Symptoms: Severe headaches, vision changes, or sudden swelling in hands and face could indicate preeclampsia.
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Will I definitely need a C-section because it’s an IVF baby?
There is a higher rate of C-sections in IVF pregnancies, but it is not a strict rule. The decision often stems from the “precious baby” concept—where doctors and parents alike prefer to minimise the unpredictability of labour.
However, if your pregnancy has been uncomplicated, the baby is in a head-down position, and there are no placenta issues (like placenta praevia), a vaginal delivery is absolutely possible.
We discuss birth plans extensively in the third trimester. If you have risk factors like multiples, older maternal age, or growth restriction, a planned C-section might be the safest route to ensure a healthy arrival.
How do I manage the emotional stress of a "high-risk" label?
The fear of loss after infertility trauma is real. Every cramp or symptom can trigger panic. Emotional precautions are just as important as medical ones.
- Acknowledge the Anxiety: It is normal to be scared. Don’t suppress it.
- Stay off Dr. Google: Searching for symptoms online often leads to worst-case scenarios. Trust your medical team who knows your specific history.
- Seek Support: Join support groups for IVF mothers. Sharing experiences with women who understand the unique pressure of an IVF pregnancy can be incredibly grounding.
Conclusion
A high-risk label on your file doesn’t define your pregnancy’s outcome; it defines the level of care you will receive.
An IVF pregnancy is a triumph of science and hope, and with the right high risk pregnancy care in New Delhi, the vast majority of these journeys end with a healthy baby in your arms.
By staying vigilant with your medication, attending all your scans, and listening to your body, you are doing everything right.
At Dr. Mannan IVF Centre, we are committed to holding your hand not just until conception, but all the way to a safe delivery.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I travel during an IVF pregnancy?
Travel is generally safe in the second trimester (14-28 weeks), which is the most stable period. However, we usually advise against travel in the first 12 weeks (due to bleeding risks and nausea) and late in the third trimester. Always consult your doctor before booking any trips.
2. Do I need to continue bed rest throughout the pregnancy?
Absolute bed rest is rarely recommended nowadays unless there is a specific complication like a threatened miscarriage or cervical shortening. In fact, light activity helps prevent blood clots, which are a higher risk in pregnancy. Movement is usually medicine.
3. Are IVF babies always born premature?
Not always. While there is a slightly higher statistical risk of preterm birth in IVF pregnancies (often due to multiples or maternal age), many IVF babies are born at full term. Regular monitoring allows us to manage risks and extend the pregnancy as close to 40 weeks as possible.
4. Will I need to see an IVF specialist throughout my pregnancy?
Typically, your fertility specialist manages your care for the first 12 weeks (the first trimester). Once the pregnancy is established and safe, your care is usually transferred to a regular obstetrician or a high-risk pregnancy specialist for the remainder of the journey.
5. Is sexual intercourse safe after IVF?
We usually recommend “pelvic rest” (abstaining from intercourse) during the first few weeks after embryo transfer and until the fetal heartbeat is confirmed. If you have any spotting or a low-lying placenta later on, your doctor may advise against it. Otherwise, it is generally safe.
