Most pregnancies go smoothly from conception to delivery; however, some women do face the risk of a troubled pregnancy. In the unlikely event of a special need or complication, Chester County Hospital offers Maternal and Fetal Medicine Services specifically designed to treat complicated and high risk pregnancies. Our comprehensive program is dedicated to providing a healthy life for mothers and babies.
Our Maternal and Fetal Medicine Services offer comprehensive health care for pregnant women with a significant medical condition, fetal abnormality, and/or pregnancy complication. Women who have previously experienced a pregnancy-related complication or have a family history of inherited conditions or birth defects may also benefit from preconception or pregnancy consultation.
Your maternity health care provider may refer you to our program for consultation services before and during pregnancy, as well as for genetic screening and testing and a targeted fetal sonogram (the most comprehensive type of fetal sonogram). Services include prenatal genetic screening, amniocentesis, chorionic villus sampling, diabetes assessment and management, and genetic counseling. Testing such as non-stress tests, ultrasound and Doppler studies are also provided.
About Our Team
A maternal-fetal medicine specialist is an ob/gyn who has received additional education (a fellowship) and can evaluate, diagnose and monitor high-risk pregnancies. Penn maternal fetal medicine obstetricians specialize in making a highrisk situation less stressful for you, your baby and your family. Whether your risk is during the term of your pregnancy, during labor and delivery, or during the post-partum period, our specialists care for the unique needs of your growing family.
At Chester County Hospital, our Maternal Fetal Medicine team provides expert care that blends knowledge, experience, technology, and compassion. The team includes board certified specialists in perinatologists from the University of Pennsylvania Health System's Department of Ob/Gyn, and staff certified and trained to support the needs of the high-risk patient.
Reasons to See a Maternal-Fetal Medicine Specialist
A health care provider may refer a woman with the following conditions to Chester County Hospital's Maternal and Fetal Medicine Services program.
Women with medical or surgical disorders, such as:
- Heart disease
- High blood pressure
- Preeclampsia (toxemia)
- Diabetes, thyroid disease or other endocrine disorders
- Kidney diseases
- Gastrointestinal diseases
- Infectious diseases
- Surgery during pregnancy
- Cancer
Healthy women whose pregnancies are at increased risk for adverse outcomes, such as:
- Abnormal alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) screening test
- Multiple gestation (twins, triplets)
- Pre-term labor and delivery
- Premature rupture of membranes
- Recurrent pregnancy loss
- Fetal growth abnormalities
- Fetal anomalies
- Carriers of genetic conditions
- Carriers of chromosome rearrangements