High-Risk Pregnancy

Every family, every pregnancy, and every baby have unique needs. Our team is equipped with the depth and breadth of expertise to provide you the highest level of care when you need it most.

Your care team

If you have a high-risk pregnancy or medical complications that may put you or your baby at risk, you’ll find the care you need at Washington University. Our team of nationally recognized obstetric specialists have extensive training in maternal-fetal medicine, including prenatal ultrasound and genetic screening.

Your personalized care team includes:

• Physicians who specialize in diagnosing, treating and delivering complicated pregnancies
• Sonographers who are experts in reading ultrasounds to see if your baby will have any special needs
• Genetic counselors who help you understand if your baby is at risk for a genetic disorder
• Advanced practice nurses who are experts in neonatology and will be there to guide you throughout your pregnancy and care

In fact, even before your first appointment, you’ll hear from the nurse coordinator who will be your family’s personal guide, scheduling your tests and answering any questions you and your family have along the way.

A network of expertise that you can count on

As part of the Washington University Physicians network, our team collaborates with leading experts across medical fields. From neonatologists and other pediatric specialists at St. Louis Children’s Hospital, to adult care specialists in diabetes, kidney disease, heart disease and other conditions, our network builds a world-class team tailored to your care. We also connect our patients with specialists in related fields, including nutritional counseling, physical therapy and social work.

Our team provides specialized care for patients who have any high-risk condition, including those who are:

• Planning to get pregnant and at risk for a complicated pregnancy; our pre-pregnancy counselors will review your individualized care plan before your pregnancy even begins
• Pregnant with twins, triplets, quadruplets or other multiples
• Experiencing, or at high risk for, pre-term labor
• Experiencing cervical incompetence (cervix opening early under pressure from the growing uterus and baby)
• At risk due to pre-existing medical conditions, including congenital heart disease, chronic hypertension, kidney disease, auto immune disorders (such as lupus), organ transplants, clotting disorders, Rh-factor blood disease and uterine abnormalities
• At risk due to complex past pregnancies, including miscarriage, second- or third-trimester pregnancy loss, stillbirth, and preterm labor or birth
• Diagnosed with fetal anomalies and/or genetic disorders
• And other conditions or situations that may cause complicating factors for you or your baby

In addition, pregnant patients diagnosed with a complex fetal condition can be seen by specialists at the Fetal Care Center, who work with you to provide advanced treatments and prepare for your baby’s arrival. Combining the expertise of three nationally ranked institutions – Washington University Physicians, Barnes-Jewish Hospital, and St. Louis Children’s Hospital – the Fetal Care Center offers the most comprehensive and advanced fetal care available in the Midwest and surrounding region.