Maternal-Fetal Medicine in St. Charles County

Patients With Higher Risk

A subspecialty of obstetrics and gynecology, maternal-fetal medicine requires additional training focused on high-risk obstetric conditions. These specialists see women with both high-risk maternal conditions, from chronic hypertension to metabolic disorders, and those with high-risk fetal conditions, such as birth defects, fetal anomalies and twin complications. They also manage obstetric conditions that develop during pregnancy, including preeclampsia, cholestasis of pregnancy and preterm labor.

Consulting and Coordinating Care

While patients’ prenatal care can be managed exclusively by maternal-fetal medicine, they also co-manage patients alongside ob/gyns in the community, seeing them at regular intervals to help manage their medical conditions. Often, maternal-fetal medicine becomes the “quarterback” of the pregnancy team, coordinating and managing care of different subspecialities as needed, like cardiology, endocrinology and pediatrics. They also perform consults for conditions that arise during pregnancy and provide preconception counseling, helping patients plan and optimize their health before becoming pregnant.

What to Expect

What these appointments entail and how often they occur depends on the patient’s condition and how far along they are in their pregnancy. In the first and second trimester, patients might be seen monthly, but as their pregnancy progresses, visits could become weekly. Patients are welcome to self-refer. However, most patients are referred through their ob/gyn for a maternal or fetal problem.

For a newly referred patient, a specialist will first assess their medical history and current health — often with an ultrasound. They will then counsel the patient on their maternal or fetal condition and how it affects their pregnancy, determine the risk status of their pregnancy and make delivery plans that are safest for the patient, including where and how they should deliver. If greater care is needed beyond that available in their community, the group can easily admit patients to Barnes-Jewish Hospital, which offers the highest level of care for maternal-fetal conditions.

Whether at Progress West Hospital or if referred to more specialized care, pregnant women in St. Charles County can rest assured they have access to the best possible care for themselves and their babies.

Amanda Zofkie, MD, specializes in maternal-fetal medicine for Washington University School of Medicine and is affiliated with Progress West Hospital. For more information, you can call 636.928.WELL.