Medical Services > Gynecology and Obstetrics

Women who are at risk for pregnancy complications may be referred to UT Southwestern Medical Center’s maternal-fetal medicine specialists for evaluation or care. These specialists work side-by-side with physicians from the Comprehensive Obstetrics and Gynecology Program and community obstetricians to provide seamless patient care during pregnancy, making life as easy as possible for expectant parents.

In most cases, women with a high-risk pregnancy return to their obstetrician after consultation and development of a plan for care. But in some circumstances, patients are transferred to the care of the maternal-fetal medicine doctors for delivery of their infants. Referrals are open to women throughout Texas and the southwestern U.S.

Examples of maternal-fetal medicine services provided at UT Southwestern include:

• High-resolution and 3-dimensional ultrasound;
  
  
• Testing for genetic problems using ultrasound and amniocentesis;
  
  
• Genetic counseling, including carrier testing and blood DNA studies, by members of an expert team consisting of genetic counselors, maternal-fetal medicine staff and a cytogeneticist; and
  
  
• Coordination of consultations with specialists in pediatrics at Children’s Medical Center Dallas prior to the baby’s birth.

Diagnosis and treatment for some medical conditions affecting the baby can be performed before birth. Among the services available are:

• Fetal blood sampling;
• Intrauterine transfusions; and
• Fetal shunt placement.

Care after birth is as important as care before birth. A 32-bed, level III Neonatal Intensive Care Nursery at UT Southwestern University Hospital is staffed by pediatric neonatologists and neonatal nurse practitioners who are ready, if necessary, to take over the baby's care after delivery.