High Risk Pregnancy
Women who have experienced recurrent pregnancy loss, had medical complications develop during a previous pregnancy or bring a complex medical history to the pregnancy need special attention. Your appointments will be longer and more frequent and may involve appointments with other physician consultants. Almost always, I can manage your pregnancy safely thru this office, and you would be able to have your baby with me, at St Francis Hospital, and receive any special care that you would need. There is a link to acog.org that discusses all High Risk Obstetrical Conditions.
I always try to comply with your wishes for the kind of birth that you want. Cesarean sections can be planned in advance with high-risk pregnancies.
St Francis will soon have a level 2 nursery. Currently, any babies born before 35 weeks are transferred to the nearest hospital with a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. We usually can anticipate a premature birth and succeed in transferring you by ambulance before you give birth.
If there are known medical problems with your baby before it is born that can be better treated with an improved outcome elsewhere, we arrange for you to deliver at the appropriate hospital that is in your baby's best interest.
For an extremely high-risk pregnancy, such as twins in the same amniotic sac, you would be referred to a perinatologist for care at a level 3 medical center.
