What are the most common reasons to be referred to Desert Perinatal Associates?
- Maternal indications such as hypertension, diabetes, autoimmune disorders, thyroid disease, seizure disorders, blood clotting disorders, lupus, cancer or obesity.
- Fetal complications such as an abnormal screening for chromosome abnormalities or spine defects. Or the fetus has a detected illness or abnormality such as structural malformations, genetic syndromes, cardiac arrhythmias, congenital infections, or intrauterine growth abnormalities.
- Obstetrical complications such as preterm labor or premature rupture of the membranes.
- If you have a family history of birth defects or have previously had a baby with birth defects.
- If you have previously had any pregnancies with complications such as pre-eclampsia, diabetes, stillbirth, or a small baby.
- If you are expecting twins, triplets, etc.
What is a high-risk pregnancy?
Typically, there are four broad categories that would make a pregnancy considered high-risk:
- Maternal: If the patient has an illnesses that would make her at high risk to carry a baby (or babies). Such illnesses would include diabetes, hypertension, kidney disease, lupus, thyroid disease, liver disease, etc. Also, if there are medications that the patient is taking that may place the fetus at increased risk.
- Fetal: If a physician has determined that the baby has any birth defects, if the patient has any family history of birth defects, or if any screening tests have come back with abnormal results.
- Obstetrical: If there is a history of stillbirth within the family or with a previous pregnancy. If the baby is showing poor growth or has very low fluid. This area would include twins, triplets and higher order multiples.
- Genetic: If there is a family history of birth defects or any history of genetic diseases.
When should I see a Maternal-Fetal Medicine Specialist?
A patient can see a Maternal-Fetal Medicine specialist (MFM) before her pregnancy to help her prepare for the risks of pregnancy, especially when the patient has medical conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, or a family history of genetic diseases or birth defects. Typically, however, a patient’s OB/GYN, Family Practice Physician, Internist, Cardiologist, Renal Specialist, Neurologist or other physician will tell you that you may have a “high-risk” pregnancy and recommend that you see a Maternal-Fetal Medicine specialist.
What medical services are provided at Desert Perinatal Associates?
Desert Perinatal Associates specializes in providing the highest quality medical care to each woman that walks through our door. We offer families care from the time they are considering getting pregnant, through their pregnancy, and even after they have had their baby. In addition to common obstetric procedures like external cephalic version, cerclage, operative vaginal and cesarean deliveries we also offer many complex procedures and services to our patients and their unborn baby. We offer preconception counseling, with a board-certified Geneticist, for patients with a family history of genetic diseases. Diabetic counseling for patients with type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes, as well as nutritional counseling, and help with glucose monitoring by one of our AADE approved educators. Our talented group of Physicians have specialized training in chorionic villus sampling (CVS), amniocentesis, precutaneous umbilical sampling, fetal transfusion, fetal biopsy, and treatment for unborn fetuses. We also specialize in multiple pregnancies including patients that may desire selective reduction.
What hospitals do your doctors deliver at?
Desert Perinatal Associates specialists can deliver at all the local Las Vegas valley, Henderson, and North Las Vegas hospitals. We also have three convenient office locations across the valley; one in Henderson, one in the Southwest, and one in Summerlin.
How do I get in touch with my doctor after hours?
Babies don’t always want to come into the world during normal business hours and emergencies come up at all times of the day so we are always prepared for the unexpected. Our doctors and staff are available 24/7 for emergencies and will gladly provide phone consultation services for established patients.
