Maternal-Fetal Medicine (High-Risk Pregnancy)

Exceptional Maternal-Fetal Medicine Services in Central Massachusetts and Beyond

UMass Memorial Health is the only program in the region with maternal-fetal medicine specialists, doctors who specialize in high-risk obstetrical care. We are with you throughout pregnancy, labor, delivery and postpartum, providing personalized services that protect you and your growing baby. Our depth of experience helps more people experience positive birth outcomes.

Maternal-fetal medicine specialists are part of our nationally recognized pregnancy and childbirth program. Services supporting more complex cases are easily accessible at UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester.

High-Risk Pregnancy Conditions We Care For

We excel in monitoring, treating and developing specialized pregnancy management plans for people with high-risk pregnancies. These plans detail prenatal care, delivery plans and postpartum care.

Our services may be right for you if you have: 

• Twins, triplets or more babies (multiple pregnancy)
• Pregnancy that’s not progressing as expected
• History of preterm labor or premature birth
• History of complications with a previous pregnancy
• Known or suspected fetal concern affecting the heart, lungs, brain or digestive system
• Chronic or complex medical condition

What Is a High-Risk Pregnancy?

A high-risk pregnancy occurs when there are circumstances or a medical condition that increase the likelihood of complications. These complications may affect you, your baby or both of you. They may also occur during the pregnancy or after your baby’s birth.

Factors That Contribute to High-Risk Pregnancy

You are more likely to face a high-risk pregnancy if you: 

• Are over 35 years old
• Have a chronic or complex medical condition, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease or an autoimmune disorder
• Develop diabetes during your pregnancy (gestational diabetes)
• Have a family history of genetic concerns, like congenital (present at birth) heart disease or bleeding or clotting disorders.

Team Approach to High-Risk Pregnancies

Maternal-fetal medicine specialists lead a team delivering attentive care that keeps you and your baby as safe as possible. We regularly communicate with you and each other to coordinate necessary tests and support.

The team also includes: 

• Nurse practitioners
• Specialty nurses
• Dietitians
• Genetic counselors
• Social workers
• Ultrasound technicians

Our Maternal-Fetal Medicine Services

Maternal-fetal medicine specialists closely manage every aspect of your pregnancy and delivery. These efforts enable us to provide timely services that meet the changing needs of you and your baby. Services typically involve frequent prenatal care assessments. We also make necessary arrangements to ensure a safe, family-centered birth. Areas of expertise include:

Prenatal Testing

Prenatal testing (also called antenatal testing) is a checkup for your baby before birth. It uses tests, such as fetal ultrasounds and heart rate monitoring, to measure your baby’s growth and determine how the pregnancy is progressing.

Our prenatal testing unit at UMass Memorial Medical Center cares for UMass Memorial patients as well as those referred by community doctors. Because we’re fully staffed five days a week, it’s easier to schedule regular appointments or be seen quickly if concerns arise. This level of access can help give you peace of mind throughout your pregnancy.

Fetal Specialty Clinic

We support families when their baby is diagnosed with a health condition before birth, such as a heart or kidney problem, hernia or brain anomaly. Maternal-fetal medicine specialists, pediatric specialists, neonatologists and a nurse navigator help plan care for your pregnancy, delivery and beyond. Efforts begin early so everything is ready for a smooth, safe delivery and timely newborn care, if needed.

Genetic Counseling

Genetic counseling can provide helpful information during a high-risk pregnancy. It may be necessary if there’s a family history of certain conditions, unexpected ultrasound findings or other concerns. Our genetic counselors meet with you to review your history, explain testing options and discuss what the results could mean for you and your baby. 

Some families choose to pursue additional genetic testing, such as amniocentesis, while others do not. The decision is yours. Our genetic counselors provide information to help you make the choices that are right for your family.

Heart Disease in Pregnancy

If you are living with heart disease, the physical demands of pregnancy can strain your heart. Expert care from our team lowers your risk of complications from preconception through the postpartum period. We coordinate treatments and special precautions to protect your heart, so you can focus on your growing baby.

Diabetes in Pregnancy

If you had diabetes before becoming pregnant or it developed during pregnancy (gestational diabetes), we can help. Maternal-fetal medicine specialists offer specialized care if you have diabetes that is not well-controlled.  

Our Diabetes and Pregnancy Clinic helps patients who need closer monitoring. Maternal-fetal medicine specialists can also manage diabetes at other visits if the clinic schedule is not convenient for you. We ensure you have easy access to experts who adjust diabetes treatments as your needs change during pregnancy.

Coordinated Fetal and Newborn Care

If there is a known or suspected issue with your baby’s health, we collaborate with pediatric experts from UMass Memorial Medical Center – Children's Medical Center. These efforts take place early in your pregnancy through our fetal specialty clinic. Maternal-fetal medicine specialists and pediatric specialists perform ongoing monitoring and carefully plan the next steps of care.

Coordination With Adult Specialists

If you have an existing medical issue, changes to your body during pregnancy can worsen your symptoms. Maternal-fetal medicine specialists work with other UMass Memorial specialists you may be seeing to coordinate your care. These conversations help us adapt prenatal care and delivery services to lower the risk of complications.