Maternal Fetal Medicine

When part or entire placenta separates from the site of implantation in the uterus before labor.

Surgery where the doctor makes a cut in the mother’s abdomen and uterus to remove the baby.

Refers to the kind of treatment for obstetric patients, or pregnant women. Hospitals have a kind of checklist or guide about how to identify women or developing babies who are at high risk. Some hospitals can take care of you if you are considered high risk. Others may want to refer you to a hospital that is more prepared to handle a higher level of care.

• Birth Centers – Care for low-risk women with uncomplicated pregnancies who are expected to have uncomplicated labor. These are pregnancies with only one baby who is positioned with his/her head down.
• Level I – Care for uncomplicated pregnancies, but have the ability to detect, stability and initiate management of unanticipated maternal-fetal or neonatal problems that could occur before, during or after labor, until a patient could be transferred to a facility where specialty maternal care is available.
• Level II – Provides all the care available at a Level I facility, plus can care for some high-risk pregnancies that are either directly admitted or transferred from another facility.
• Level III – Provides all the care available at a Level II facility, plus can care for more complex maternal medical conditions, pregnancy complications and fetal conditions.
• Level IV – Provides all the care available at a Level III facility, plus can provide on-site medical and surgical care of the most complex maternal conditions and critically ill women and fetuses.

A physician specialist who provides medical and surgical care to women and has particular expertise in pregnancy, childbirth, and women’s health.

A visual image produced by an ultrasound exam. It gives doctors a shadowy image of the baby as the baby develops.