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Overview
The Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine offers obstetrical care for women
with pregnancies that are complicated by maternal disease, such as diabetes
or hypertension, or any problem with the fetus, such as congenital abnormalities.
We are specialists not only in diagnostic techniques, but also in complicated
surgeries for both the mother and the fetus.
Our Team
The Division consists of 7 board-certified Maternal-Fetal Medicine specialists
with a cumulative clinical experience of almost 90 years. Four members are
tenured Professors with three of these in endowed chairmanships. One member
is a tenured Associate Professor, one is a Clinical Assistant Professor
and there are two tenured Assistant Professors. In addition, there are three
fellows in training in a Maternal-Fetal Medicine fellowship program approved
by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Range of Care
The Division offers the full range of high risk obstetrical services for
both the high risk pregnant patient and fetal complications. The Prenatal
Diagnostic Unit is certified by the American Institute of Ultrasound in
Medicine. Additional comprehensive obstetrical ultrasound and prenatal diagnostic
services are offered at a satellite office housed in the Birthing Center
at Rex Hospital in Raleigh, North Carolina.
4D Ultrasound
Six certified sonographers assist the Maternal-Fetal specialists in performing
in excess of 12,000 examinations annually. Services include non-invasive
first and second trimester diagnosis of fetal trisomies and other anomalies,
4D ultrasound, Doppler studies, and prenatal diagnosis by chorion villus
biopsy, amniocentesis, and cordocentesis.
Genetic Counselors
The Prenatal Diagnosis Center has four Masters level certified genetic counselors. Genetic counselors provide information and support to families who are at risk for having a child with a birth defect or genetic disorder. They identify families at risk through family history information, analyze inheritance patterns, and discuss risks of recurrence with the family. In addition, genetic counselors help explain technical information and review a range of prenatal screening and/or testing options available to the patient.
Care Coordinators
The Center for Maternal and Infant Health was established in 1999 and employs nurses and social workers as care coordinators. Fetal cases with abnormalities are discussed in a multidisciplinary care conference each week. Plans of care are established and a care coordinator is assigned to assist families with education and appointment scheduling. Additionally, neonates with complex medical conditions are eligible for care coordination services from the time of discharge from UNC Hospitals through 4-6 months of age.
Advanced Technics
The Division is actively involved in the evolving field of fetal intervention.
The first open maternal-fetal surgery for spina bifida and the first EXIT
(ex utero intervention treatment) in North Carolina were performed by the
Division in recent years.
An active intrauterine transfusion program for the treatment of severe anemia
receives referrals from multiple states. The new innovations of laser therapy
for twin-twin transfusion and fetal balloon valvoplasty are being developed.
Facilities
The Division supervises the delivery of more than 3000 infants annually
at the new University of North Carolina Women’s Hospital which opened
in 2002. Fourteen LDR rooms, four triage rooms and 28 private postpartum
rooms allow for the comfort of our patients.
Depth of Patient Patient Care
Ongoing pregnancies are seen the outpatient obstetrical clinics housed on
the first floor of the Women’s Hospital. The Division conducts clinics
for private obstetrical patients with the full range of medical complications.
In addition, supervision of resident low risk and high risk obstetrical
clinics is provided.
An active maternal transport service receives approximately 250 patients
from community hospitals throughout North Carolina. Patients are sent to
UNC by ground ambulance or through the use of two helicopters managed by
UNC AirCare.
A full-time obstetrician or Maternal-Fetal Medicine specialist remains on
site at UNC Hospitals 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week. Support anesthesia
and neonatology services are available with full time in-house attending
physicians as well.
Areas of Research
The Division is actively involved in research with five current grants funded
through the National Institutes of Health (1- KO8, 1- R27, 4 – RO1’s).
UNC is one of 14 sites selected by the NIH to undertake multi-center clinical
trials on obstetrical therapies;
John
Thorp, M.D. is the principal investigator for this program.
Kim
Boggess, M.D., a former BIRCWH scholar and recent recipient of a KO8
NIH grant, is currently investigating the relationship between periodontal
disease and preterm delivery and low birthweight in conjunction with the
UNC School of Dentistry
Additional Information
• The UNC Horizons Program
• High-Risk Obstetrics Services
• The Perinatal Diagnostic Center
• UNC Center for Maternal and Infant Health
• Patient Resources How
to make an appointment
Maternal Fetal Medicine appointments are made by calling (919) 843-3051.
Ultrasound Clinic appointments are made by calling (919) 843-6094.
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