Maternal Fetal Medicine Services

Gestational Diabetes
You may be at increased risk for developing diabetes during pregnancy (gestational diabetes) the following conditions apply:

 

  • You are 30 years old or older
  • You have previously had a baby weighing 9 lbs. or more or
  • You have a family history of diabetes

Women with gestational diabetes are at increased risk for:

  • Developing diabetes later in life (up to 50%)
  • Larger sized babies for gestational age
  • Injury at time of birth
  • Cesarean section
  • Metabolic problems in the newborn period for the baby

How we can help
Women with gestational diabetes are managed by a team consisting of:

  • Your referring obstetrician
  • Perinatologists at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center
  • Diabetic nurse educators
  • The nursing and sonography staff at the Maternal Fetal Diagnostic Center

Multiple Gestations
Women whose pregnancies are complicated by a multiple gestation (twins, triplets or more) are at particularly high risk for certain complications such as:

  • Miscarriage
  • Low birth weight
    • Pre-mature babies
    • Growth Retardation
  • Malformation
  • Maternal Hypertension
  • Hemorrhage
  • Placental accidents
    • Placental Abruption
    • Placental Previa
  • Preterm labor
  • Complicated labor

Our goal is to prevent or limit the impact of these morbidities and promote healthy outcomes for mothers and their babies.

Preterm Birth Prevention
Preterm labor is labor that begins before the end of the 36 weeks of pregnancy. Preterm labor often leads to the premature birth of a baby. Premature birth, before the baby is fully ready for life on its own, is a major cause of illness and death in infants.

Who is an increased risk for Premature Labor?
Women who:

  • Have had a preterm labor or delivery with a previous pregnancy.
  • Have an abnormal shaped uterus or DES exposure
  • Have had two or more second trimester abortions or miscarriages
  • Have an incompetent cervix, cone biopsy or large fibroid
  • Have a current multiple pregnancy - two or more fetuses
  • Have had abdominal surgery during current pregnancy
  • Have had kidney or urinary tract infections during current pregnancy
  • Have had cervical dilation or effacement before 36 weeks
  • Have had bleeding, placenta previa, too much or too little amniotic fluid
  • Are younger than age 18 or older than 35
  • Have had unusual physical or mental stress
  • Smoking and/or substance abuse

Many women who develop premature labor have note of the above risk factors.

Warning Signs of Preterm Labor
The following signs may also occur normally in your pregnancy, but if you have any of these signs, you should ask your physician.

  • Regular tightening of the uterus occurring as often as once every 15 minutes - can be painless
  • Menstrual-like cramps - may be rhythmic or continuous and radiate to your back
  • Low, dull backache - different from what you normally experience
  • Pressure or pain in the lower abdomen, back or thighs
  • Change is vaginal discharge - watery, mucous, bloody, or amounts above what is normal for you during pregnancy
  • A general sends of "feeling different" or that "something is not right."

Contact your doctor if you have questions about preterm labor or if you notice any signs or symptoms! Through patient education and appropriate use of medical intervention and hospitalization, the effects of preterm labor are minimized.



Ultrasound
All Ultrasound examinations are performed by accredited sonographers (RDMS) and interpreted by Maternal-Fetal Medicine specialists with subspecialty training in obstetric ultrasound and prenatal diagnosis. A complete report/consultation is sent to your referring doctor.

Additional Services

  • Prenatal Diagnosis
  • Amniocentesis
  • Percutaneous Umbilical Blood Sampling (Cordocentesis)
  • Preconception Counseling
  • Genetic Counseling and Testing
  • Counseling & Testing for Advanced Maternal Age and abnormal Triple Marker screening tests
  • Perinatal Nutritionist
  • Management of Complicated Pregnancy
  • Hypertensive Disorders in Pregnancy
  • Patient Support Network
  • Other Medical and Surgical Disorders
  • Collaborative Management with Pediatric Subspecialists
  • Antenatal Testing
    • Non Stress Testing (NST)
    • Biophysical Profile (BPP)