Maternal-Fetal Medicine
Advanced Diagnostics and Personalized High-Risk Pregnancy Care
If you have a complex pregnancy or concerns before becoming pregnant, your obstetric provider may refer you to a maternal-fetal medicine specialist at University of Vermont Health. As experts in managing high-risk pregnancies, we provide advanced diagnostic and treatment approaches, as well as support, guidance and compassion throughout your pregnancy and delivery.
As the only maternal-fetal medicine program in Vermont and northern New York, we see patients from across the region. Whether you live locally or come to us from a distance, we work closely with your current obstetric provider, who knows you and your pregnancy best.
UVM Health has a strong commitment to providing compassionate care to all individuals. We welcome patients of all races, ethnicities, abilities, gender identities and sexual orientations.
Why Choose UVM Health?
- Subspecialty expertise: Maternal-fetal medicine specialists are obstetrician-gynecologists (OB-GYNs) with advanced training in fetal diagnosis and ultrasound, genetics, and health issues that can occur before or during pregnancy.
- Team-based approach: Our care team includes nurses and certified nurse midwives who have experience with high-risk pregnancies. We also collaborate with other specialists as needed.
- Advanced care when necessary: For advanced care, UVM Medical Center has the region’s only level 4 maternity center and level 3 neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
- Support services: We offer mental health counseling and help accessing resources to support you and your baby.
What is a High-Risk Pregnancy?
A high-risk pregnancy means that you or your baby may have an increased risk of health issues during or after pregnancy and require advanced monitoring. Our maternal-fetal medicine specialists have extensive experience helping patients navigate both common and rare complications.
Maternal conditions that may require care by a maternal-fetal medicine specialist include:
- Diabetes: Diabetes can be a preexisting condition or can begin while you are pregnant (gestational diabetes). Effective management helps improve pregnancy outcomes.
- Emergencies: In emergency situations, our maternal-fetal medicine physicians coordinate with other specialists to guide your care and protect your pregnancy.
- High blood pressure and preeclampsia: Managing high blood pressure during pregnancy and delivery is important for your safety and that of your baby. Preeclampsia is a type of high blood pressure that occurs in pregnancy.
- Maternal health problems: Many maternal health conditions require close monitoring and treatment during pregnancy. If you have a preexisting condition, we can develop a plan for your health management before and during pregnancy.
- Substance abuse: Therapy can help treat substance use disorders and improve pregnancy outcomes. We offer compassionate care without judgement.
Fetal conditions include:
- Congenital abnormalities: Congenital abnormalities occur during fetal development. Common congenital anomalies include Down syndrome, spina bifida and congenital heart defects.
- Fetal anemia: Some maternal conditions can lead to fetal anemia (low red blood cell count).
- Infections: An infection during pregnancy can spread to your baby.
- Growth problems: We track your baby closely for growth that is too slow (fetal growth restriction) or too fast (macrosomia).
Complications can also occur as a result of:
- Multiple pregnancy: Carrying more than one baby at a time (twins, triplets or more) requires special care to assess growth and other possible complications.
- Placental abnormalities: The placenta, which provides nutrients and oxygen to your baby, can implant in the wrong place or separate too early.
- Preterm birth: You may be at higher risk of early birth if the tissue that keeps your uterus closed (cervix) thins or shortens too soon. A history of preterm birth may also increase your risk of delivering early in your next pregnancy.
Maternal-Fetal Medicine Services
Maternal-fetal medicine care spans all stages of pregnancy. Our goal is to prevent complications or treat them early to limit their effects on you and your baby.
Our physicians work with you to create customized plans for your pregnancy and delivery that incorporate your preferences as much as possible. Planning helps us anticipate any health issues that might arise and determine any advanced monitoring, diagnostics or treatment you or your baby might need.
Services we offer include:
People often seek pre-pregnancy consultations if they have had prior pregnancy complications or have health conditions that could affect their pregnancy. Our maternal-fetal medicine physicians help you understand how your condition may affect a future pregnancy and how to reduce your risk of complications.
If a genetic condition runs in your family, we may recommend genetic testing and counseling before you become pregnant. Our genetic counselors can explain your risk of passing the condition on so you can make informed decisions regarding pregnancy.
At our Fetal Diagnostic Center, we offer advanced tests to monitor your baby’s health. Our compassionate doctors, midwives and nurses help you interpret those results and determine your next steps. Comprehensive ultrasound can look carefully at fetal anatomy and behavior.
A nonstress test is a common test we use to monitor your baby’s heartbeat and movement. You may have a special ultrasound scan to look at your baby’s development or the structure and function of their heart (fetal echocardiography).
Our physicians take the time to get to know you and your preferences as they create detailed plans for pregnancy and delivery to keep you and your baby as healthy as possible. They make sure you understand why they make certain recommendations and answer any questions and concerns you may have.
Your pregnancy plan may include:
- Frequent monitoring
- Medications to manage a health condition
- Fetal intervention to correct a problem while your baby is still in utero (in the womb)
Your delivery plan will include the timing and location of delivery. We help you make that decision based on your medical needs and preferences. As a UVM Health patient, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist is available to your provider 24/7 to answer questions and provide guidance, no matter where you choose to deliver.
Advancing Medicine & Quality of Care
Better care, advanced procedures and cutting-edge treatments for you and your loved ones.
Improving the quality of your care now and into the future by training the next generation of health care professionals.
Immediate access to new treatments before they are widely available.
Awards & Certifications
March of Dimes
The March of Dimes awarded UVM Children's Hospital an ‘A’ grade for perinatal services in their 2024 Report Card – making Vermont the only state to achieve an ‘A’ ranking in 2024 and setting a new benchmark for maternal and infant health across the United States.
American Institute of Ultrasound Medicine (AIUM) Accreditation
The University of Vermont Medical Center is the only site in Vermont accredited by the American Institute of Ultrasound Medicine for detailed obstetrical ultrasound scans and fetal echocardiography. This recognizes that our sonographers and physicians have extensive training and ongoing evaluation of their imaging by an independent authority. We are committed to making sure you have access to the advanced tests you need.
Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART) Membership
SART membership shows we meet national standards for reporting, experience, infertility care and IVF.
Newsweek: America's Best Maternity Hospitals
Newsweek has included UVM Health's anchor academic medical center and Level 1 Trauma Center that serves the region on its ranking of America’s Best Maternity Hospitals after assessing the quality of perinatal care, operative obstetrics, patient education and counseling, accommodation and service, and nurse and midwife staffing.
Locations near you
111 Colchester Avenue
Main Campus, East Pavilion, Level 4
Burlington, VT 05401-1473
