High Risk Pregnancy
A high-risk pregnancy doesn’t mean facing extra uncertainty on your own. Dr Peter Jurcevic has completed advanced training in high-risk obstetrics and draws on more than 30 years of clinical experience to guide you through a pregnancy that needs closer monitoring, extra specialist support or a more considered birth plan. Whatever risk factors you’re navigating, you’ll have one consistent specialist by your side, every step of the way.
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How Is a High-Risk Pregnancy Categorised?
“High-risk” simply means your pregnancy needs a higher level of monitoring than a standard pregnancy; it doesn’t mean something is wrong. Risk factors can relate to your health, your baby’s development or your pregnancy history and they’re often identified early so you and Dr Peter can put a clear plan in place together, right from your first appointment. Here are some of the more common risk factors Dr Peter helps women manage:
Maternal Factors
Including your age (particularly pregnancies at 35+), pre-existing conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes or autoimmune disease and previous surgical history.
Multiple Pregnancy
Carrying twins, triplets or more naturally increases the level of monitoring required, including more frequent scans and closer tracking of growth for each baby.
Past Pregnancy Complications
A history of prematurity, cervical issues, pre-eclampsia or high blood pressure in a previous pregnancy is one of the more common reasons a pregnancy is classified as high-risk.
Fetal Factors
Concerns identified through screening or ultrasound, including growth restriction, abnormal positioning or a suspected abnormality, may mean your baby needs closer monitoring through the pregnancy.
Recurrent Miscarriage or Fetal Loss
If you’ve experienced recurrent miscarriage or a previous fetal loss, this pregnancy is understandably approached with extra care, both clinically and emotionally.
Pregnancy-Related Conditions
Including gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia, placenta previa or placental complications identified during this pregnancy.
Already Partway Through Your Pregnancy?
If you’ve been referred to Dr Peter after your pregnancy has already begun, whether from your GP, a shared-care arrangement or another obstetrician after something was flagged, transferring your care is often possible. Every situation is different, so Dr Peter will discuss your specific circumstances, the options available to you and the associated costs, before confirming whether a transfer is the right fit at this stage of your pregnancy. Where it is, he’ll review your existing results and history at your first appointment, so nothing is repeated unnecessarily.
Delivering at Frances Perry House
Dr Peter delivers at Frances Perry House, a private maternity hospital located within The Royal Women’s Hospital precinct in Parkville. For a high-risk pregnancy, this matters, you have access to advanced private facilities for your day to day care, sitting directly alongside the specialist and NICU resources of one of Australia’s leading public women’s hospitals, should they be needed. As Head of Obstetrics at The Royal Women’s Hospital, Dr Peter has direct access to this level of support if your pregnancy requires it.
Your Monitoring & Care Plan
Every high-risk pregnancy is managed individually; your plan will depend on your specific risk factors and may involve more frequent appointments, additional scans or input from other specialists. Below is a general guide to what closer monitoring can look like; Dr Peter will tailor this to you at your first appointment.
| Weeks | Appointment | What to expect | Tests & scans |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6-10 | First appointment | Full history, exam, birth plan discussion | Dating ultrasound, blood tests |
| 12-13 | Antenatal check | Results review, questions | First trimester screening, nuchal translucency, bloods + Ultrasound |
| 16 | Antenatal check | Growth check, wellbeing | Morphology booking if not done |
| 19-20 | Morphology scan | Detailed anatomy scan | Morphology ultrasound |
| 24 | Antenatal check | Glucose screen discussion | Glucose challenge test |
| 28 | Antenatal check | Position, growth, symptoms | Glucose tolerance test if required, anti-D if Rh negative |
| 32 | Antenatal check | Growth, presentation | Ultrasound, growth |
| 36 | Antenatal check | Birth plan review, what to expect | GBS swab |
| 38 | Antenatal check | Cervical assessment, final preparation | - |
| 40 | Antenatal check / induction discussion | Timing, options, support | Ultrasound if indicated |
| Postnatal | 6-week review | Your recovery, feeding, wellbeing, future care | - |
Why Choose Dr Peter Jurcevic
Dr Peter Jurcevic has been practising obstetrics and gynaecology in Melbourne for over 30 years, with more than 7,000 births across both private and public settings. As a private obstetrician at Frances Perry House and Head of Obstetrics at The Royal Women’s Hospital, he brings a breadth of clinical experience that is well suited to both routine and complex pregnancies.
Patients consistently value the continuity Dr Peter provides, seeing the same specialist at every appointment, having direct access between visits and knowing he will be present at the birth. For many women, that consistency is the primary reason they choose private obstetric care.
Start Your Pregnancy Journey
Dr Peter takes on a limited number of obstetric patients each year, so he can give the people in his care the attention and continuity a high-risk pregnancy deserves. If you are pregnant or planning to conceive, we encourage you to get in touch early to discuss availability and arrange your first appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I see the same obstetrician at every appointment and at the birth?
Yes. Dr Peter is your one consistent specialist from your first appointment through to delivery, he will be the one present at your birth.
