High Risk Pregnancy
Most pregnancies follow a typical course, but some women have a more unique experience and turn to the experts in the Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine (MFM) at Saint Peter’s for guidance. Our perinatologists, nurse practitioners, sonographers, social workers, nutritionists, nursing staff work together to provide the highest quality of care to women and their unborn children. Our physicians are all board certified in obstetrics and gynecology and have subspecialty board certification in maternal-fetal medicine.
Conditions We Treat
Patients are typically seen following the referral of an obstetrician who has determined that a medical or pregnancy related condition requires the expertise of specialists with educational training and experience in managing complicated pregnancies. Some of these common medical complications include:
- Hypertension
- High blood pressure
- Preeclampsia (toxemia)
- Diabetes
- Thyroid disease
- Infectious diseases.
An obstetrician also may request that a patient who is otherwise healthy if their pregnancy is at increased risk due to other conditions, such as:
- Multiple gestations (twins, triplets or more)
- Recurrent pre-term labor and delivery
- Premature rupture of membranes
- Suspected fetal growth restriction (baby not growing enough)
- Suspected abnormalities in the fetus.
An obstetrician also may request that a patient see a specialist prior to a woman becoming pregnant when a condition exists that would categorize a woman’s pregnancy as high-risk, such as:
- Advanced maternal age
- Recurrent pregnancy loss
- History of a premature delivery
- Diabetes
- Hypertension.
Comprehensive Care Under One Roof
The Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine is housed in the Regional Perinatal Center at Saint Peter's University Hospital. The Regional Perinatal Center is renowned throughout the state for the exceptional level of high-risk maternity and neonatal care we provide. Saint Peter’s also houses an award-winning level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) for babies who need a little extra love when they come into the world. As a state-designated regional center, the Department of Medical Genetics and Genomic Medicine provides in-patient and out-patient services to patients, including abnormal newborn screens.
Make an Appointment
We believe every mother and baby deserve the best care. If you are experiencing a complicated pregnancy, you and your baby are in safe hands at Saint Peter’s. There are more than 500 low-birth-weight babies delivered at Saint Peter's per year and more than 2,200 high-risk obstetrical clinic visits per year. The staff at Saint Peter’s is very experienced with high-risk pregnancies and dedicated to providing compassionate care. If you are planning to become pregnant but you have questions, our staff is more than happy to provide answers.
If you would like to make an appointment or if you have any questions, please call 732.745.8549.