Maternal-Fetal Medicine

Pregnancy can be exciting, but sometimes extra care is needed. The maternal-fetal care team at OSF HealthCare Children’s Hospital of Illinois provides the area’s only specialized care for high-risk pregnancies. You and your baby will have access to experienced providers who will work closely with your OB/GYN to manage complications and support a healthy pregnancy.

What is maternal-fetal medicine?

Maternal-fetal medicine is a subspecialty of obstetrics and gynecology that focuses on the care of women with complex pregnancies. Maternal-fetal medicine providers work with other clinicians to address any concerns that may impact the pregnancy and ensure the best care for both mom and baby.

Your High-Risk Pregnancy Diagnosis

A high-risk pregnancy happens when the mother or baby has an increased risk of health complications during pregnancy or delivery. High-risk pregnancies often come with a lot of questions, and we’re here to get you the answers you need.

About High Risk Pregnancy

Maternal-Fetal Conditions We Treat

Our maternal-fetal medicine experts are specially trained to treat a variety of conditions, including:

Complex maternal and/or fetal presentations
Diabetes
Fetal anomalies
Geriatric pregnancy
Growth restrictions
History of a complicated pregnancy
History of thromboembolism
Hypertension
Isoimmunization
Medication exposure
Maternal Congenital Heart Disease
Multiple gestation
Recurrent pregnancy loss
Seizure Disorder
Substance Use Disorder
Thrombocytopenia
Thyroid disease

Specialized Services for High-Risk Pregnancies

High-risk pregnancies may need special care to manage complications. We provide a full range of services to support you through every step of your high-risk pregnancy, including:

Biophysical profiles
Blood sugar control
Cerclages (cervical stitch)
Comprehensive fetal ultrasounds
Diabetic self-management education, including how to modify your diet, administer insulin and use a glucometer to monitor your blood sugar.
Fetal anatomy scans
Fetal blood sampling or transfusion
Fetal ultrasound
First trimester screenings
First trimester screening and genetic screening
Genetic amniocentesis
Medication education, including injections
Nonstress tests
RhoGAM injection

Understanding the types of diabetes and how to manage them during pregnancy will help keep both mom and baby as healthy as possible.

Manage Your Pregnancy Diabetes

An ultrasound is an important tool for assessing your baby's health during pregnancy, especially during a high-risk pregnancy.

Discover Ultrasound Services

Pregnancy Diet and Nutrition

Maintaining your own health and eating right can be one of the first ways to take care of your child, even before they are born. At OSF HealthCare, we support expecting mothers by providing expert care and education about diet, nutrition and managing risk during pregnancy.

Our specially trained dietitians provide:

Education about healthy weight gain for mothers of multiples
Education for pregnant women with diabetes
Tips for mothers with severe nausea and vomiting
Dietary education for patients who are pregnant after surgical weight loss

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What to Expect at Your Appointment

Your OB/GYN will refer you to maternal-fetal medicine if they have concerns about your pregnancy.

If you live near Peoria, your first appointment may take place at OSF Children’s Hospital. If it’s more convenient, you may meet with an APRN in an office near you who will work with the maternal-fetal specialists in Peoria. You will receive a comprehensive ultrasound that will last about an hour. If your appointment is outside of Peoria, a perinatologist who specializes in high-risk pregnancies will review your ultrasound results, and a nurse will contact you to discuss them.

Depending on your needs, you may be referred to one of our specialists for diabetic or fetal care. You and your developing baby will receive supportive, coordinated care throughout your entire pregnancy.

You will continue to meet with your OB/GYN for regular prenatal check-ups, but the maternal-fetal medicine specialists will help manage the high-risk aspects of your pregnancy. The maternal-fetal team is available Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. If you have a concern outside of that time, please contact your OB/GYN office.

Meet Our Providers

Why Choose Us for Maternal-Fetal Medicine

Our providers are highly trained to perform specialized ultrasounds to monitor your developing baby, and are the only center in the area to be accredited by the American Institute of Ultrasound and Medicine (AIUM).

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AIUM Accreditation

The American Institute of Ultrasound and Medicine (AIUM) offers accreditation to organizations that meet high national standards for ultrasound care. This means our staff is highly trained, our ultrasound equipment is safe and accurate and the quality of care you’ll receive is among the best.

Perinatal Designation with NICU

At OSF HealthCare Maternal-Fetal Diagnostic Center, you and your developing baby will receive the most advanced care available, including access to a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). We are a Level III Perinatal Center, the highest designation in Illinois, and are ready to take care of your every need throughout your pregnancy.

Patients from Every Region

The Maternal-Fetal Medicine Center in Peoria serves patients across central Illinois, providing specialized care that is not available elsewhere. You and your baby can receive the highest level of care and advanced expertise from the only specialized maternal-fetal medicine program in the area.

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Hear From Our Patients

“Karen and Kara both showed an amount of care toward me that I have not received from any other providers outside of OSF. Karen showed great care in asking about support, family dynamics and unfortunate family losses.”

“Everyone was very helpful and comforting. They made me their number one priority while in their care and listened to all questions and concerns. I truly felt I had the best care. Dr. Leonardi went above and beyond for us!”

“The staff here were incredible. They made me feel very welcome and cared for. I never felt as though I had too many questions or that any of my questions were dumb. The staff here are the best medical staff I have interacted with."

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Ask for a Referral

If your OB/GYN thinks you might need more specialized care, ask them to refer you to OSF Children's Hospital. Need a new OB/GYN? Browse our directory.