As you learn more about your baby’s medical condition, you may get care from many new health care providers, such as:
Maternal fetal medicine doctor (MFM)
An obstetrics (OB) doctor who takes care of pregnant women who are having a difficult pregnancy
Fetal diagnosis and treatment (FDT)
A service that does ultrasounds to check your baby’s growth and development throughout pregnancy. This may be done every one to four weeks as ordered by the doctor. An MFM doctor will visit with you during this appointment to talk about ultrasound findings.
Prenatal genetic counselor
A health care provider who can help you understand genetic information and testing choices. They guide decision-making and offer emotional support.
Obstetrics services
A service for women having a high-risk pregnancy who need to deliver at UI Health Care.
Obstetrics staff will:
- Follow the progress of your pregnancy
- Check your blood pressure and other vital signs
- Do blood tests if needed
- Talk with you about a delivery plan
Shared Care Service
Many women travel a great distance to come to UI Health Care for care. We know this may cause added stress. Our Shared Care Service may be a choice for you.
Your care is coordinated among UI Health Care staff and your local doctor. Women in this program have at least one to two appointments at UI Health Care. The rest of your care can be with your local doctor until close to the time of delivery.
Pediatric Specialty Services
You may be referred to meet with pediatric providers to learn more about your baby’s medical condition, such as:
Neonatologist
A doctor who cares for ill or premature newborn babies in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)
Pediatric cardiologist
A doctor who has special training to diagnose and treat children’s heart problems
Pediatric cardiothoracic surgeon
A doctor who does surgery on the heart or lungs of children
Pediatric surgeon
A doctor who performs surgery for children.
Otolaryngologist (Oto)/ENT (ears, nose, throat)
A doctor who gives medical and surgical care for children with disorders of the ears, nose, or throat, such as cleft lip and/or palate
Orthopedist
A doctor who cares for children with bone conditions, such as club foot, using surgery, casting, and bracing
Pediatric nephrologist
A doctor who has special training to diagnose and treat children’s kidney problems
Pediatric urologist
A doctor who has special training to diagnose and treat children’s urinary and genital problems
Perinatal palliative care specialist
Offers support for families of unborn babies with a serious medical condition.
Child life specialist
Focus on supporting children in stressful times. They offer support to children who may be meeting their baby brother or sister for the first time in the hospital.
Women’s Wellness and Counseling Service (WWC)
Offers diagnosis and treatment of mood and anxiety disorders, or any other mental health problems related to childbirth—for pregnant women and new mothers.
Centers for Disability and Development (CDD)
Offers diagnosis and therapy services across the lifespan for people with disabilities.
Individualized childbirth education
A private, free session with a childbirth expert who teaches you about signs of labor, pain control during labor, delivery, and recovery after birth.
Spiritual Services
Offers spiritual support and care to all people during medical crises.
Fetal Care Clinic (FCC)
FCC offers expert care for pregnant women and babies during a high-risk pregnancy. It often happens close to the 32nd week of pregnancy. A team will meet with you to talk about your care for the rest of pregnancy and care for your baby after birth.
The FCC team is made up of:
- MFM doctors
- Pediatric specialists
- Prenatal genetic counselor
- Nurses
- Social worker
This often takes about 45 minutes. We encourage you to bring family to hear the information and to ask questions. After the meeting, a social worker will give you a tour of the labor and delivery (L/D) unit, mother/baby unit (MBU), and NICU. The social worker will also give you information about lodging, dining, and parking after your baby’s birth.