Perinatal Care - Dignity Health - Santa Maria, CA

Maternal-Fetal Medicine (MFM) is a subspecialty of obstetrics and gynecology that involves caring for parents with high-risk pregnancies. MFM doctors treat women with medical conditions in pregnancy and those who face unexpected complications in pregnancy, such as preterm labor, high blood pressure and bleeding.

All expectant mothers should see a doctor throughout their pregnancy. However, if you have a high-risk pregnancy, you may have to visit the doctor more regularly.

During an MFM appointment, your doctor will:

• Perform prenatal testing

• Help you manage any preexisting health conditions

• Adjust or prescribe new medications

The type of care you receive will depend on you and your baby’s specific needs. Trust the experienced maternity specialists at Dignity Health Perinatal Care in Santa Maria for personalized care during and after your pregnancy.

Not all women need perinatal care, though MFM doctors do provide routine prenatal screening and ultrasound.

You may benefit from seeing a maternal-fetal medicine specialist if you:

• Have a preexisting health issue, such as a heart condition, before getting pregnant

• Develop a pregnancy-related complication, such as gestational diabetes

• Are pregnant with more than one baby

• Are pregnant with a baby with a prenatal condition

• Have a history of miscarriage or preterm birth

Our maternal-fetal medicine specialists treat a wide variety of conditions. Conditions that may put you at risk for a high-risk pregnancy include:

• Amniotic band syndrome

• Anemia

• Congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation

• Congenital diaphragmatic hernia

• Congenital heart conditions

• Diabetes (gestational diabetes)

• Gastroschisis/omphalocele

• Genetic disorders

• High blood pressure (preeclampsia)

• Maternal health conditions

• Multiple births

• Neural tube defects/hydrocephalus

• Placenta previa

• Pleural effusions

• Premature ruptured membranes

• Thrombocytopenia

• Urinary tract obstruction

At Dignity Health Perinatal Care in Santa Maria, we offer comprehensive perinatal services, including:

• High-risk pregnancy consultation services

• Invasive and noninvasive diagnostic testing

• OB ultrasound (basic and comprehensive)

• Preconception counseling

• Diabetic education and support

• Collaboration with other health care providers