Risk assessment is the process by which clinicians screen for conditions that, if unmanaged, result in complications of pregnancy or adverse birth outcomes and for which an intervention would improve the well-being of the mother, child, and family. One of the major US health care goals is that by the year 2000, at least 90% of pregnant women will receive risk appropriate care. This article discusses the major risks to the mother and child during pregnancy, and presents tools to assess pregnancy well-being.