If a congenital heart condition is expected for a high-risk pregnancy, referring providers still can retain their patients through delivery by collaborating with Norton Children and Norton Healthcare. We use an integrated approach for collaborative care among obstetrics, maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) and fetal cardiology specialties. Referring providers will remain the primary contact for the patient,…
The patient A routine ultrasound at 20 weeks’ and four days’ gestation showed cervical insufficiency. A pelvic exam by the patient’s primary obstetrician revealed her cervix was 3 centimeters dilated, with a bulging bag of water beyond her cervix. The patient was admitted to Norton Women’s & Children’s Hospital, and a referral was sent to…
Sickle cell disease (SCD) in pregnancy raises the risk to mother and baby as well as complications of SCD, but working closely with the patient’s hematologist and a maternal-fetal medicine specialist improves the chances of an uneventful pregnancy and delivery. Early prenatal care and regular monitoring throughout the pregnancy are especially important for SCD patients….
When a pregnant patient is referred for maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) care at Norton Children’s, they step into a multidisciplinary team of specialists, including obstetricians with expertise in high-risk pregnancies and pediatric specialists who can help with any challenges the baby is facing. “We have numerous specialists that we rely on,” said Mureena Turnquest-Wells, M.D., a…
Karen Reed, M.D., has been delivering the babies in high-risk pregnancies for more than three decades and still feels the exhilaration of such a meaningful medical role. “It’s the excitement of something new, a new challenge every day, every minute,” Dr. Reed said. “I don’t call myself an adrenaline junkie. It’s just the uniqueness of…
Kendal K. Stephens, M.D., spent a decade as a practicing OB/GYN before entering a maternal-fetal medicine fellowship. Now, Dr. Stephens is eager to consult with obstetricians caring for high-risk pregnancies. “Patients often want to deliver close to home. We support the obstetrician in providing a high level of care locally when possible.” Dr. Stephens said….
The Norton Children’s Maternal-Fetal Medicine team provides pregnancy care for women carrying multiples, facing premature labor, or experiencing maternal hypertension, diabetes or other pregnancy-related conditions. Our dedicated team also provides diagnosis and counseling for fetal abnormalities and inherited conditions. Outreach clinics To better serve patients throughout Kentucky and surrounding states, we offer outreach clinics. Women…
Liggins and Howie’s landmark paper in 1972 demonstrated that a single course of corticosteroids given to women at risk for preterm delivery reduced the incidence of respiratory distress syndrome and mortality in the offspring. After almost 50 years and a plethora of studies, the optimal timing of corticosteroid remains unclear. The benefits of a single…
In this update: New definition for postpartum hemorrhage from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Tranexamic acid as first-line medication 1:1 ratio of packed red blood cells (PRBC) to fresh frozen plasma (FFP) Postpartum hemorrhage is defined as cumulative blood loss greater than or equal to 1,000 mL or bleeding associated with signs/symptoms of…
Intrauterine transfusion is an essential treatment for severe fetal anemia. The procedure is performed between 18 and 35 weeks after fetal ultrasound is suggestive of fetal anemia or hydrops. In a sterile environment, fetal blood is obtained via percutaneous umbilical blood sampling. Transfusion is recommended for a fetal hematocrit less than 30 cc, which can…
A “high-risk pregnancy” can mean many things. However, pregnant women who need extra care to have a healthy pregnancy and delivery should be referred to a maternal-fetal medicine specialist. Norton Children’s Maternal-Fetal Medicine provides services in Louisville, Paducah and Bowling Green, Kentucky, and Madison, Indiana. The practice offers: Diagnosis and counseling for fetal abnormalities and…