Maternal Fetal Medicine
Expert care for high-risk pregnancies.
Advanced care and support for special pregnancies.
At St. Luke's Maternal Fetal Medicine (MFM), we understand that a high-risk pregnancy can be a source of both excitement and anxiety. Our dedicated team of MFM specialists, genetic counselors, nurses, and sonographers are experts in evaluating, diagnosing, and treating a wide range of complications affecting both mother and baby. We provide comprehensive, compassionate care and unwavering support, ensuring the best possible outcomes for even the most complex pregnancies.
What is maternal fetal medicine?
Maternal fetal medicine is a specialized branch of obstetrics that focuses on the health concerns of mothers and babies during high-risk pregnancies. Our MFM specialists work closely with your primary obstetrician to provide an extra layer of care for conditions that may arise before, during, or after pregnancy.
Comprehensive services for complex pregnancies
St. Luke's MFM program offers a full spectrum of services tailored to your unique needs:
- Advanced fetal ultrasound: High-resolution imaging to monitor fetal growth, development, and detect potential anomalies.
- Genetic counseling and testing: Preconception and prenatal genetic counseling, carrier screening, non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT), chorionic villus sampling (CVS), and amniocentesis to assess genetic risks and conditions.
- Management of maternal medical conditions: Expert care for conditions such as gestational diabetes, Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, autoimmune disorders, and other chronic health issues during pregnancy.
- Fetal therapy: Specialized interventions and treatments for certain fetal conditions, when appropriate.
- Preconception counseling: Guidance for women with pre-existing medical conditions or a history of complicated pregnancies to optimize health before conception.
- Collaborative care: With a team that includes physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses and sonographers, St. Luke’s MFM works in close cooperation with your obstetrician and other specialists to ensure seamless, integrated care.
Diabetes management during pregnancy (gestational or pre-existing)
St. Luke's Maternal Fetal Medicine Diabetes and Pregnancy program utilizes a team-based approach to optimize pregnancy outcomes for mothers with diabetes. We manage all types of diabetes, including Type 1, Type 2, and gestational diabetes. Our team uses the latest diabetes technology and provides individualized care, empowering mothers to achieve healthy pregnancy outcomes.
Genetic counseling
We have prenatal genetic counselors who can provide you with a comprehensive review of your prenatal genetic screening and testing options. They also take an in-depth family history to review any unique genetic risks related to your family and ethnic background. Genetic counseling sessions also offer carrier screening for recessive conditions such as spinal muscular atrophy, cystic fibrosis, hemoglobin electrophoresis and expanded carrier screening.
Your physician might refer you for a genetic counseling session in the event of an unexpected ultrasound finding, such as a soft marker or a congenital disability. In this case, the genetic counseling session would focus on what genetic syndromes these findings could be associated with and whether a couple would like to elect definitive prenatal testing using chorionic villus sampling (CVS) or amniocentesis.
Genetic screenings and diagnostic tests
We offer a variety of screenings and diagnostic tests to provide you with comprehensive information about your pregnancy:
- Sequential screening: A combination of blood tests and ultrasound to assess the risk of certain chromosomal abnormalities.
- Non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT)/cell-free DNA (CFDNA): A blood test that screens for chromosomal conditions like Down syndrome with high accuracy.
- Chorionic villus sampling (CVS): A diagnostic test performed early in pregnancy to detect chromosomal abnormalities and genetic conditions.
- Amniocentesis: A diagnostic procedure that can detect chromosomal abnormalities, genetic disorders, and certain birth defects.
Support for your newborn.
Should your baby require specialized care at birth, St. Luke's is home to leading Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs). Our NICUs provide highly specialized care for premature babies, multiple births, and full-term babies with medical needs, ensuring your newborn receives the best possible start in life.
Frequently asked questions about maternal fetal medicine
Genetic counselors provide comprehensive reviews of prenatal genetic screening and testing options. They take in-depth family histories to assess unique genetic risks and discuss potential implications of unexpected ultrasound findings, helping families make informed decisions.
A pregnancy can be considered high-risk due to various factors, including pre-existing maternal health conditions (e.g., diabetes, hypertension), advanced maternal age, multiple pregnancies (twins, triplets), a history of pregnancy complications, or fetal abnormalities.
Screening tests (like NIPT) assess the risk of certain conditions without posing a risk to the pregnancy. Diagnostic tests (like CVS or amniocentesis) provide a definitive diagnosis of chromosomal abnormalities or genetic conditions but carry a small risk.
St. Luke’s Maternal Fetal Medicine Diabetes and Pregnancy program uses a team approach to manage all types of diabetes (Type 1, Type 2, gestational). We utilize the latest diabetes technology and provide individualized care to optimize pregnancy outcomes.
St. Luke's has Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) equipped to provide highly specialized care for newborns with medical needs, including premature babies and those from multiple births. Our NICU team works closely with MFM specialists to ensure seamless care.
Partner with St. Luke's for your pregnancy.
Choosing St. Luke's Maternal Fetal Medicine means partnering with a team dedicated to your well-being and the health of your baby. We offer advanced care, cutting-edge diagnostics, and compassionate support, guiding you through every step of your high-risk pregnancy journey. Call 484-526-3900 to learn more or schedule a consultation. Let us help you welcome your baby into the world with joy and confidence.