High-Risk Pregnancies and Complications

Expert Care for Complex Needs

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Pregnancy Complications We Treat | Maternal-Fetal Medicine | Level III NICU | Substance Use and Other Issues

Complications can happen during pregnancy or childbirth. They can affect the mother, the baby or both. Some expectant mothers have underlying conditions before they become pregnant.

Certain complications or conditions classify a pregnancy as “high-risk,” which may require special care. It’s best for expectant mothers to have regular checkups and deliver in a center that can handle pregnancy complications.

Pregnancy Complications We Treat

An obstetrician or midwife can manage common pregnancy complications such as:

• Twins or higher-order multiples
• Preeclampsia and eclampsia, which are types of hypertension or high blood pressure caused by pregnancy
• Gestational diabetes
• Seizure and blood disorders
• Obesity
• Anemia
• Infections

However, some complications require special facilities and doctors. Because St. Peter’s Health Partners is a large network, we have access to excellent specialists who can treat any number of complications. Our obstetricians, midwives, maternal-fetal medicine specialists and NICU staff work closely to coordinate your care and manage complications when needed.

Maternal-Fetal Medicine for High-Risk Pregnancy

Our maternal-fetal medicine department cares for women who have high-risk pregnancies. Examples include:

• Triplets and higher-order multiples
• Abnormal position of the placenta
• Slow fetal growth
• Women with a history of previous complicated pregnancies
• Expectant mothers who get concerning results from certain screening tests

At St. Peter’s Health Partners, families receive care from physicians, nurses, genetic counselors and ultrasound experts who specialize in pregnancy complications.

Level III NICU

Our system also includes a level III NICU, located within St. Peter's Hospital, that specializes in caring for premature or critically ill newborns. Neonatologists, neonatal nurses, respiratory therapists and others work 24/7 to help your baby thrive and go home as soon as possible.

When a baby must stay in the NICU, we offer parents a “courtesy stay.” Parents may sleep overnight in the maternity ward, and we provide meals and pay for parking. These efforts promote bonding and make a difficult time as convenient as possible.

Substance Use and Other Issues

St. Peter’s Health Partners is a safe, nonjudgmental place for mothers who are experiencing substance or alcohol use disorder.

Our system uses the latest research to offer a new, safer, more effective approach to withdrawal. Instead of using high doses of narcotics to help a baby withdraw, we follow the eat-sleep-console (ESC) approach.

If the baby can eat normally, sleep and be consoled, then the baby can withdraw in the arms of its mother. This alternative to the NICU boosts bonding and empowers recovering mothers.

We also have an excellent team of social workers and clinical coordinators who can help mothers who have complications in their personal lives. Examples include domestic violence, drug and alcohol use, smoking and mental health issues.