--------------------- High Risk Pregnancy Experts ---------------------
CALIFORNIA MATERNAL FETAL MEDICINE
----------------------- High Risk Pregnancy Experts -----------------------
ABOUT US
Specializing in the un-routine.
We are high-risk pregnancy experts. For pregnant women with chronic health problems, our Maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) subspecialist works to keep the woman as healthy as possible while her body changes and her baby grows. Our MFM subspecialist also cares for women who face unexpected problems that develop during pregnancy, such as early labor, bleeding, or high blood pressure. Our MFM is the go-to for pregnant women who arrive in the hospital for any reason, whether after an accident or at the onset of a kidney infection. In other cases, it’s the baby who faces the un-routine. If an OB care provider finds a birth defect or growth problem, our MFM can start treatment before birth, providing monitoring, blood transfusions and surgery to support the fetus until it is ready to arrive in the world.
Our MFM subspecialist treats two patients at the same time. We partner with the mom-to-be, her family, and her medical team to navigate the un-routine and achieve the best possible outcome. We see families who have experienced high-risk pregnancies in the past, women with chronic health conditions, and women who develop unexpected problems during their pregnancy.
We are a California State-approved Prenatal Diagnostic Center (PDC)
The California Prenatal Screening Program is a statewide program offered by prenatal care providers to all pregnant individuals in California. Prenatal screening uses a pregnant individual's blood samples to screen for certain birth defects in their fetus (developing baby).
Individuals with a fetus found to have an increased chance of one of those birth defects are offered genetic counseling and other follow-up services through state-contracted Prenatal Diagnosis Centers.
Medi-Cal or private health insurance must cover the program fees with only a few exceptions for self-insured employers and out-of-state health plans. There is no co-payment, co-insurance, deductible, or any other form of cost sharing, required of covered families.
Those who choose to participate provide two blood samples for two types of prenatal screening. Both screenings are recommended since they screen for different birth defects. These two screenings are offered:
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Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) screening; and
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Maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (MSAFP) screening.
Genetic conditions and birth defects screened for are these:
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Down syndrome (trisomy 21)
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Trisomy 18
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Trisomy 13
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Neural tube defects, like spina bifida
OUR SERVICES
PRECONCEPTION AND PREGNANCY CONSULTATION
Consultation and Co-Management
Our Maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) subspecialist treats two patients at the same time. We partner with the mom-to-be, her family, and her medical team to navigate the un-routine and achieve the best possible outcome. We see families who have experienced high-risk pregnancies in the past, women with chronic health conditions, and women who develop unexpected problems during their pregnancy.
Before and during pregnancy, our MFM can provide advice for women with chronic health conditions or those who have experienced a high-risk pregnancy in the past. At a consultation, our MFM reviews a woman’s medical and pregnancy history and helps to map out an optimal strategy for her pregnancy.
OBSTETRIC ULTRASOUND
A window into the womb
We use ultrasound to look inside the womb and evaluate the developing fetus. We use advanced skills in 3D and 4D ultrasound and fetal echocardiogram to screen for birth defects and chromosome problems.
We offer obstetric ultrasound imaging to all pregnant women, for both low and high risk pregnancies.
GENETIC COUNSELING
Our genetic counselor is available for patients with:
Interest in genetic carrier screening for themselves and/or their partner
Interest in discussing risks for chromosomal abnormalities, such as Down syndrome
History of a previous child with a birth defect, developmental delay, or other genetic condition
History of multiple unexplained miscarriages or cases of unexplained infant deaths
Consanguineous union (cousins or otherwise blood related)
Maternal age of 35-years-old or older at time of delivery for a single pregnancy; 33-years-old or older at time of delivery for twin pregnancy
Current pregnancy with anomalies identified by ultrasound
Current pregnancy with an abnormal genetic screening test
Current pregnancy with risk of or concern for maternal exposures, such as medications, radiation, drugs/alcohol, or infections
FETAL PROCEDURES
Our MFM may use the following procedures to evaluate the developing fetus:
Diagnostic amniocentesis:
Guided by ultrasound, our MFM uses a needle to collect a small amount of amniotic fluid. We use this fluid to test for genetic diseases, fetal lung maturity, or infection.
Therapeutic amniocentesis:
When a fetus has too much amniotic fluid, our MFM can place a needle in the uterus, guided by ultrasound, and remove extra fluid. This process can reduce the risk of early birth and treat certain fetal diseases
Chorionic villus sampling (CVS):
In a CVS, our MFM uses a thin tube or a needle to sample the placenta during the first third of the pregnancy. Our MFM uses ultrasound to perform a CVS, either through the cervix or the abdomen. We can test the placental sample for certain fetal diseases and health conditions.
DIABETIC COUNSELING
Diabetes is a complication for up to 7-14% of pregnant women. Our MFM provides consultative services to assist in promoting improved pregnancy outcomes for high-risk pregnant women with pre-existing diabetes and women who develop diabetes while pregnant; gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).
FETAL TESTING
We perform a variety of tests to check the effectiveness of certain treatments as well as monitor fetal well-being.
Antepartum fetal monitoring
We use 2D ultrasound to monitor fetal heart rate, fetal movement, and levels of amniotic fluid, and we use Doppler ultrasound to measure blood flow through the umbilical cord and the fetal brain and heart. These tests help sort out whether the fetus is getting what it needs in the uterus, or might be better off being born.
Ultrasound assessment of amniotic fluid
Healthy babies have enough fluid around them, but not too much. Using ultrasound, we can estimate whether a baby has too little fluid (oligohydramnios) or too much (polyhydramnios). Both too much and too little fluid can be associated with birth defects and placental problems.
CONTACT US
Our Locations
FOLSOM
Across the street from Mercy Hospital of Folsom
1645 Creekside Drive, Folsom, CA 95630
REDDING
Across the street from Enterprise High School
3328 Churn Creek Road, Redding, CA 96002
CHICO
At the Chico Creek Professional Park
1550 Humboldt Rd, Unit 3, Chico, CA 95928
SOUTH SACRAMENTO
On the campus of Methodist Hospital of Sacramento
8120 Timberlake Way, Suite 208, Sacramento, CA 95823
DAVIS
At Davis Medical Center
635 Anderson Rd, Suite 12B, Davis, CA 95616
Fax: 855.815.4684
Phone: 916.603.5600