If you are experiencing a high-risk pregnancy, the physician team at Sanford Clinic Maternal-Fetal Medicine is available to provide high-risk obstetric care, fetal diagnosis and treatment services. These physician specialists will prepare you for the healthiest pregnancy possible and guide you through this important time for you and your baby.

Approximately 5-10 percent of all women will experience a high-risk pregnancy. The high-risk term is used to describe pregnancies in which the mother and/or baby have a higher-than-average risk of complications.

There are multiple reasons a pregnancy may be classified as high-risk, including:

• Chronic medical conditions that may affect the pregnancy
• History of pregnancy-related complications
• History of pregnancy loss
• Maternal age – pregnant moms who are over 35 or under 17 may need special prenatal care
• Multiples
• Infertility treatments
• Any pregnancy can become high risk. Contact your physician right away if you experience any of the following symptoms 
  vaginal bleeding
• Swelling in the face or fingers
• Leakage of fluid or increased vaginal discharge
• Severe or persistent headache
• Pain in the abdomen or shoulder
• Persistent vomiting that is not related to morning sickness
• Chills or a fever
• Noticeable change in the frequency or strength of your baby's movements
• Painful or urgent urination
• Dizziness or fainting

The physician specialists at Sanford Clinic Maternal-Fetal Medicine focus solely on complex pregnancies – caring for both you and your unborn child. Together, they collaborate with your primary physician regarding your care every step of the way.

Services provided at Sanford Clinic Maternal-Fetal Medicine include:

• Ultrasound - The first peek at your baby in the womb can identify the baby’s growth and development 
  Genetic Amniocentesis – by testing the fluid surrounding your baby, our specialists can study your baby’s chromosones and identify abnormalities
• Lung Maturity Amniocentesis – tests the fluid surrounding your baby to determine lung develoment
• Therapeutic Amniocentesis PUBS (cordocentesis) – is typically a common procedures for twins in which a umbilical blood sampling is obtained to diagnos any abnormalities of the fetus.
• Chorionic Villus Sample – tests a sample of placenta to test for chromosomal abnormalities
• First Trimester Screening – is a blood test that screens for the risk of having a baby with Down syndrome, Trisomy 18, congenital heart defects and other birth defects. This test is performed between 11 – 13 weeks of pregnancy.
• Quad Screen – is a blood test that screens for the risk of having a baby with Down syndrome, Trisomy 18, congenital heart defects and other birth defects. This test is performed between 15 - 20 weeks of pregnancy.
• Fetal Therapy – bladder/chest shunt placement, cystocentesis
• Fetal Transfusion
• Antenatal Testing