High-Risk Pregnancy Care
Maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) specialists are obstetricians trained to care for women with high-risk pregnancies. If you have a chronic condition, are carrying multiples, or your pregnancy is considered high-risk for another reason, our experts in Maternal-Fetal Medicine are here to help. Babies are our passion, and we will treat both you and your unborn child with skill and compassion.
When You May Need Maternal-Fetal Medicine
Your pregnancy may be considered high-risk if you have a chronic condition such as:
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Asthma
- Hepatitis
- Seizure disorder
- Depression
- Gallbladder disease
- Eating disorder
Our maternal-fetal medicine experts also care for moms-to-be with other high-risk scenarios, such as:
- Multiples. Carrying more than one baby (twins, triplets or more).
- Placenta previa. When the placenta blocks the cervix.
- Placental abruption. A partially or completely detached placenta before delivery.
- Preeclampsia. A serious condition in which high blood pressure suddenly occurs in women who haven’t had it before.
- Birth defect. Problem with the appearance, organ function, or development of an unborn child.
We also help women who have had problems during a previous pregnancy, such as a miscarriage, preterm birth, and bleeding.
Prenatal Testing
Maternal-Fetal Medicine provides specific testing to diagnose potential problems during pregnancy. Depending on the concerns, we may use:
- Ultrasound, which uses sound waves to create an image of your unborn child.
- Blood tests, to look for the presence of substances that could indicate a concern.
- Amniocentesis, which uses a needle to obtain a small amount of amniotic fluid from the uterus.
- Cell free fetal DNA, noninvasive prenatal testing.
The information from these and other tests gives your maternal-fetal medicine specialist the tools they need to treat your unborn child or prepare them to treat your baby right after birth.
NICU
You can also count on the neonatal experts in our Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) which is one of the most advanced in the state. We provide the latest treatments for newborns who need a higher level of care, including those who are born prematurely.
