High risk isn't always more fast paced. High risk L&D is high risk pregnancy. Some hospitals take care of whatever comes along then some have high risk units where every patient on the unit is high risk it may be because the baby has some problem, extreme prematurity risk, pre-existing conditions in the mother ie brittle diabetics, uncontrolled hypertension, heart problems, morbid obesity, high # multiples quads, quints,twin-twin transfusions, placental implantation problems. Low risk are the normal run of the mill 40 week pregnancies with no prenatal problems..which can quickly turn into an emergeny delivery. OB depends on the day of the week on who is faster paced