Maternal-Fetal Medicine

Overview:

Cervical insufficiency occurs when the cervix begins to open too early during pregnancy. This can increase the risk of preterm birth. Maternal-Fetal Medicine specialists help diagnose this condition and provide treatment to support a longer, healthier pregnancy.

Overview:

A high-risk pregnancy involves an increased likelihood of medical concerns affecting maternal health or fetal development. Causes may include underlying health conditions, pregnancy-related complications, or prior pregnancy outcomes.

Maternal-Fetal Medicine specialists collaborate with obstetric providers, neonatal intensive care providers, and other specialists to deliver comprehensive evaluation, enhanced surveillance, and coordinated care through our Level IV Labor and Delivery and Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (the highest levels of care).

Overview:

A multiple pregnancy means carrying more than one fetus, such as twins or triplets. These pregnancies have higher risks and often need closer monitoring. Maternal-Fetal Medicine specialists lead care for multiple pregnancies, working closely with Obstetrics and Labor & Delivery to support families at every stage.

Care is coordinated across all UTMB locations, with triplet and higher-order pregnancies best managed at the Galveston campus, where advanced resources and specialty teams are available. From early pregnancy through delivery, our teams work together to monitor growth, plan delivery, and prepare neonatal care when needed.

Overview:

Placenta Accreta Spectrum happens when the placenta grows too deeply into the wall of the uterus. This can cause serious bleeding at delivery and requires careful planning. Patients with Placenta Accreta Spectrum and cesarean scar ectopic pregnancy receive care from a specialized, multidisciplinary team led by Maternal-Fetal Medicine specialists.

This team includes experts from Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Transfusion Medicine (Blood Bank services), OB Anesthesiology, Trauma Surgery, Urology, Interventional Radiology, Neonatology and other specialties. Together, they plan each patient’s care in advance to improve safety for both the patient and the fetus. UTMB has been recognized as a Maternal Level of Care IV-Placenta Accreta Spectrum specialized referral center for providing advanced care for the most complex cases of placenta previa and accreta, guided by world experts in this field.

Overview:

Placenta previa happens when the placenta is located low in the uterus and covers part or all of the cervix. Vasa previa occurs when fetal blood vessels lie near the cervix. Both conditions can increase the risk of bleeding during pregnancy and delivery and require careful monitoring.

Our Maternal-Fetal Medicine specialists lead care for placenta previa and vasa previa. These conditions are confirmed by ultrasound, and patients are closely monitored to reduce bleeding risk and plan a safe delivery. Obstetrics providers may first identify placenta previa during a routine ultrasound and then work with Maternal-Fetal Medicine for ongoing care. When delivery is needed, the Labor & Delivery team performs a planned cesarean birth to help protect both the patient and the fetus.

Overview:

Preeclampsia is a serious pregnancy condition marked by high blood pressure and signs that organs may not be working as they should. Eclampsia is a more severe form that can cause seizures. These conditions require close monitoring and expert care. Maternal-Fetal Medicine specialists lead care when blood pressure problems become complex or severe.

Overview:

Pregnancy at age 35 and older, sometimes called advanced maternal age, may require additional testing and monitoring. As people age, the risk of certain pregnancy complications can increase. Maternal-Fetal Medicine specialists help guide care and testing to support a healthy pregnancy.

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Early water breaking, also called preterm rupture of membranes, happens when the bag of water breaks before labor begins. This can occur at any point in pregnancy and may increase the risk of infection or early delivery. Maternal-Fetal Medicine specialists closely monitor the pregnancy and overall well-being, helping guide treatment decisions and determine the safest timing for delivery.

Location notes:

• Galveston Campus care available at any time during pregnancy
• Clear Lake Campus provides care at 32 weeks and later
• Angleton Campus provides care at 35 weeks and later

Overview:

Anemia occurs when there are not enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen in the body. Obstetrics providers routinely screen and treat anemia during prenatal care. When anemia is severe or related to chronic illness, Maternal-Fetal Medicine specialists may become involved.

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Autoimmune disorders occur when the immune system attacks healthy tissue. Conditions such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, or multiple sclerosis can increase pregnancy risks. Maternal-Fetal Medicine specialists manage care when disease activity or medications increase risk, working closely with rheumatology or immunology. Obstetrics providers often help identify and monitor stable conditions.

Overview:

Cancer during pregnancy is rare but requires careful planning. Maternal-Fetal Medicine specialists coordinate care with Oncology to balance treatment needs and fetal safety. Obstetrics providers help support prenatal care and work closely with Maternal-Fetal Medicine throughout pregnancy.

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Chronic kidney disease during pregnancy can increase the risk of complications such as preeclampsia, preterm delivery, or growth concerns.

Maternal-Fetal Medicine specialists oversee care across all stages of kidney disease, working closely with nephrology. Obstetrics providers may co-manage stable patients early in pregnancy and support prenatal planning.

Overview:

Diabetes during pregnancy can include gestational diabetes or diabetes that existed before pregnancy, such as type 1 or type 2 diabetes. These conditions can affect overall pregnancy health and development. Our Maternal-Fetal Medicine specialists oversee care for more complex cases, adjusting medications, nutrition plans, and fetal monitoring. Obstetric providers often diagnose and co-manage mild gestational diabetes in coordination with Maternal-Fetal Medicine.

Overview:

Some people enter pregnancy with heart or lung conditions that need special care. These may include heart defects, heart rhythm problems, asthma, or pulmonary hypertension. At UTMB Health, Maternal-Fetal Medicine specialists lead care and work closely with cardiology and pulmonology. Obstetrics providers often co-manage stable conditions during routine prenatal visits.

Overview:

Hypertension during pregnancy includes chronic high blood pressure, gestational hypertension, and preeclampsia. These conditions can increase risks during pregnancy and delivery. Maternal-Fetal Medicine specialists manage more complex or severe cases, while Obstetrics providers often identify and co-monitor mild or early blood pressure concerns during routine prenatal visits.

Overview:

Pregnancy at a higher weight can increase the risk of conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and delivery complications. Maternal-Fetal Medicine specialists oversee care when additional monitoring or planning is needed, while Obstetrics providers manage routine prenatal care, screening, and education. Referral to Maternal-Fetal Medicine may occur for higher BMI or added risk factors.

Overview:

Thyroid disorders affect how the body regulates energy and metabolism during pregnancy. Mild thyroid conditions are often managed through routine prenatal care with an Obstetrics provider.

When thyroid disease is moderate, severe, or difficult to control, Maternal-Fetal Medicine specialists provide closer monitoring and collaborate with endocrinology to support a healthy pregnancy and reduce the risk of complications.

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A history of pregnancy loss or complications means you have had challenges in past pregnancies. These may include miscarriage, stillbirth, or serious pregnancy conditions. Maternal-Fetal Medicine specialists help identify possible causes and create a care plan for future pregnancies.

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In some cases, surgery during pregnancy is necessary for conditions unrelated to delivery, such as appendicitis or gallbladder disease. Our Maternal-Fetal Medicine specialists collaborate with surgeons and anesthesiologists to help safeguard maternal health while supporting fetal well-being.

Overview:

Prior uterine surgery means you have had surgery on your uterus before this pregnancy. This may include a previous cesarean birth or surgery to remove fibroids. These procedures can affect how the uterus heals and stretches during pregnancy, as well as how delivery is planned.

Our Obstetrics providers discuss and monitor prior uterine surgery during prenatal care and help plan the safest birth approach. Maternal-Fetal Medicine specialists become involved when surgical history or uterine scarring adds risk, such as after a classical C-section or more complex uterine surgery. During delivery, the Labor & Delivery team manages care, including planning for vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) or repeat cesarean delivery when needed.

Overview:

Some pregnancies are complicated by conditions that affect the fetus’s growth, development, or organ function. When a fetal condition requires closer monitoring or specialized delivery planning, our Maternal-Fetal Medicine team provides coordinated care throughout the pregnancy. We use advanced imaging, detailed fetal assessment, and multidisciplinary planning to guide management.

We work closely with our Level IV Labor and Delivery Unit and Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (highest levels of care), as well as pediatric surgery and pediatric cardiology teams to prepare for delivery and any care that may be needed after birth.

Our goal is to monitor fetal health carefully, support you throughout the pregnancy, and develop a clear, individualized plan for delivery and newborn care.

Overview:

Fetal abnormalities or genetic conditions refer to differences in how a fetus develops during pregnancy. These may affect organ development, chromosome structure, or growth patterns.

Maternal-Fetal Medicine specialists use advanced imaging and prenatal diagnostic testing to confirm findings, explain results clearly, and guide patients through available care and support options.

Overview:

Fetal Growth Restriction (FGR) occurs when a fetus is smaller than expected for the stage of pregnancy. This may happen if the fetus is not receiving enough oxygen or nutrients through the placenta.

Maternal-fetal medicine specialists use advanced ultrasound and other imaging tools to closely monitor growth, assess well-being, and help determine the safest timing for delivery.

Overview:

Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome (TTTS) is a rare condition that can occur in identical twins who share a single placenta. In TTTS, blood flow between the fetuses becomes unbalanced, which can affect growth and organ function.

Maternal-Fetal Medicine specialists monitor TTTS closely and guide treatment to support the health of both fetuses throughout pregnancy.