About 6 to 8 percent of all pregnancies are thought
to be “high risk”. This means that a maternal or fetal condition is
present that could affect the health or well being of the mother or the
baby. The UTMB Maternal Fetal Medicine Division has the training and
expertise to care for any of these “high risk" conditions.
Although
many general obstetrician gynecologist have experience in caring for
high risk patients, at times the unique skills of a Maternal Fetal
Medicine Specialist or “Perinatologist” can be beneficial. Maternal
Fetal Medicine Specialists undergo three years of extra training after
completion of their Ob/Gyn training. Perinatologist specialize in the
care of women with complicated medical problems such as hypertension,
diabetes, thyroid disease, seizures and maternal cardiac disorders. They
also receive training in ultrasound, prenatal diagnosis and fetal
therapy.
