Expert care for mothers and babies during complicated pregnancies

When pregnancy complications happen, it’s important to seek the unique expertise of maternal-fetal medicine specialists. Sometimes called perinatologists, our maternal-fetal medicine doctors are high-risk pregnancy specialists who focus on providing compassionate care to moms and babies at higher risk. Risks may include gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, pregnancies with multiple gestations (like twins or triplets), suspected fetal health concerns or health conditions you had before pregnancy.

High-risk pregnancies can come with feelings of uncertainty. At HealthPartners and Park Nicollet, we’re here to help. We have expert teams dedicated to helping you reach your goals for a healthy pregnancy and birth. We’re by your side every step of the way, explaining things in terms you can understand and working together to create a personalized plan for you and baby.

We offer a range of services, including preconception consultations, screenings and pregnancy care.

During your first visit, we’ll discuss your health history, current conditions or health concerns for your pregnancy. Next, we’ll plan any necessary assessments or tests, and work with you to create a special care plan for you and baby.

We provide risk assessments for families with a history of birth defects. These screenings can help us decide if further genetic counseling or diagnostic tests are recommended to help identify risk for conditions such as Down syndrome or cystic fibrosis.

Our genetic counselors review available screenings, interpret results and offer support for patients who are at risk for, or have been diagnosed with, a genetic disorder. We’re by your side to help you understand your results and discuss next steps.

If you or your baby have recently been diagnosed with a health concern, we’ll provide a full evaluation to make sure you have the information you need. We’ll explain things in a way that you understand, talk through any questions you have and connect you with helpful resources.

High-risk pregnancy specialists help co-manage your prenatal and postpartum care alongside your regular OB-GYN doctor or midwife. This care may include routine prenatal appointments to monitor your health, track baby’s growth and offer guidance on your birth plan. Some patients visit a maternal-fetal medicine doctor for a one-time service, such as a diagnostic ultrasound, then return to their doctor or midwife. Others may fully transition their care to a maternal-fetal medicine specialist for the duration of their pregnancy.

Our maternal fetal specialists are highly-trained to provide screenings, diagnostic ultrasounds and procedures needed to diagnose genetic disorders, birth defects and other health concerns for mom and baby. We use state of the art equipment and advanced genetic testing during pregnancy to provide accurate results in a timely matter.

Although pregnancies in women over the age of 35 are considered high-risk pregnancies, the majority result in healthy babies. Our maternal fetal specialists are experts in prenatal care for women at a high risk pregnancy age and can help ensure a healthy pregnancy for mom and baby.

• Gestational hypertension and preeclampsia
• Chronic hypertension
• Endocrine disorders (including gestational diabetes, thyroid disorder and lupus)
• Cardiac disease
• Infections
• Recurrent pregnancy loss
• Previous pregnancy and delivery complications (including preterm birth, premature rupture of membranes, and more)
  

• Multiple gestations (twins, triplets)
• Down syndrome
• Spina bifida
• Congenital heart defects
• Cleft lip/palate
• Club foot

You can rely on the compassion and expertise of our maternal fetal specialists for every step of your pregnancy.

• We’ll co-manage your prenatal and postpartum care alongside your OB-GYN or midwife.
• We’ll provide an initial consultation to address your health and baby’s health, as well as identify any concerns.
• We’ll perform necessary risk assessments, tests or procedures needed to diagnose any health concerns and create a personalized plan.
• We’ll evaluate your health and give recommendations for future pregnancies.
• Meet our perinatologists and see where they practice