A risk is not a complication
What is a risk?
A risk is the possibility that something might happen. It is a prediction about the future, not a problem that is happening right now.
For example, you might be told you are at “increased risk” of a large baby, gestational diabetes or a longer labour. These statements are based on statistics and population data. They describe probabilities, not certainties.
Risk is not a diagnosis. It is a way of estimating likelihood.
Every pregnancy and birth carries some level of risk. Even everyday activities like driving a car or crossing a road involve risk. In maternity care, identifying risk is meant to guide monitoring and planning, not to assume that something will go wrong.
What is a complication?
A complication is something that is actually happening. It is a present, observable condition that requires attention.
Examples of complications might include:
Pre-eclampsia
Postpartum haemorrhage
Infection
A complication is no longer theoretical. It is a real event that needs assessment and sometimes treatment.
How risks compromise your birth plan
When risk is treated as if it were already a complication, it creates fear and urgency. Parents feel pressured into decisions without fully understanding whether action is needed now, or whether they are responding to a possibility that may never occur.
On the other hand, ignoring genuine complications can delay important care. The goal is not to dismiss risk or avoid medical support, but to understand what is potential versus what is present.
Clear communication helps parents ask important questions, such as:
What is the actual likelihood of this happening?
What signs would show that a complication is developing?
What are my options for monitoring or managing this risk?
What happens if we wait and observe?
Are there ways to minimise this risk?
Could avoiding the risk develop other complications?
Informed decision-making
Birth is not risk-free, but neither is it a medical emergency by default. Most pregnancies progress without major complications. Good maternity care balances awareness of risk with respect for the normal physiology of birth.
Informed decision-making means understanding:
The difference between statistical risk and current complications
The benefits and downsides of proposed interventions
Your personal values, preferences, and circumstances
When parents understand the language being used, they are better equipped to participate actively in decisions about their care.
Supporting confidence, not fear
Risks exist to support safety, not to remove autonomy. Recognising the difference between risk and complication allows you to approach birth with clarity rather than fear.
Pregnancy and birth involve uncertainty, but they also involve strength, resilience and the body’s remarkable capacity to give birth. With accurate information and supportive care, parents can navigate decisions with confidence and trust in themselves.
