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,…
When considering gestational diabetes diagnosis criteria, carbohydrate intolerance with onset or recognition during pregnancy after 20 weeks is foremost. Gestational diabetes accounts for about 6 in 7 cases of diabetes in pregnancy. Risk factors are similar to nongestational diabetes: obesity, advanced maternal age, hypertension, family history of diabetes, nonwhite ethnicity and prior macrosomic infant. Diagnosing…
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….
Successfully treating pregnant women for opioid use requires building a relationship with the patients, who often are experiencing shame and guilt as a result of their drug use, according to Jonathan W. Weeks, M.D., maternal-fetal medicine physician with Norton Children’s Maternal-Fetal Medicine. “I don’t let my moral, ethical feelings come out in the way I…
Preeclampsia and gestational hypertension are indicators for an increased chance of heart disease later in life. Preeclampsia occurs in about 5% to 8% of pregnant women after the 20th week of pregnancy or after giving birth. High blood pressure is accompanied by protein in the urine or other physical symptoms, such as a severe persistent…
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…
The Maternal Opiate Substance Treatment (MOST) Program is an addiction treatment program designed specifically for pregnant women with a substance abuse disorder. The program is designed to reduce the stigma for pregnant women with substance use disorders by providing prenatal and addiction treatment in the same clinic serving other women with high-risk pregnancies. Below are…
The opiate epidemic has changed the face of prenatal and perinatal care, and Norton Healthcare has special programs in place to help mother and child confront drug-related health issues. The Norton Maternal Opiate and Substance Treatment (MOST) Program is designed to reduce the stigma for pregnant women with substance use disorders by providing prenatal and…