Maternal-Fetal Medicine at Magee-Womens, UPMC Hamot

Maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) specialists at Magee-Womens, UPMC Hamot care for women who face high-risk pregnancies.

Whether you're already pregnant or planning to get pregnant, we work with your obstetrician to manage all concerns throughout your pregnancy.

What Causes a High-Risk Pregnancy?

Some women have health conditions that make their pregnancy at higher risk for problems or pre-term birth.

These include:

• Pre-eclampsia
• Heart disease
• High blood pressure
• Diabetes
• Kidney disease
• Gastrointestinal disease
• Thyroid disorders
• Infectious disease

Other times, a problem arises during the pregnancy that needs closer attention, such as:

• Pregnant with multiples
• Having had multiple miscarriages
• Signs of a possible birth defect
• Fetal growth problems (baby isn't growing as it should be)

Maternal-Fetal Medicine Services We Offer

Your ob-gyn or midwife will refer you to the MFM program at Magee-Womens Hospital, UPMC Hamot if:

• He or she finds a problem with your pregnancy.
• You have a health condition that needs extra monitoring.

Our experts will:

• Provide preconception planning to help you adjust medications and schedule more frequent ultrasounds.
• Look for signs that may make you at risk of pre-term birth such as your cervix length. A short cervix or one that shortens during pregnancy can raise your risk of having your baby too early.
• Suggest any other testing you might need or keeping a closer eye on your health.

You can also consult with a UPMC doctor in Pittsburgh who specializes in caring for babies with genetic problems.

Trained specialists from Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC's main campus come to Hamot weekly, so you don't have to travel to Pittsburgh.

Our telemedicine links with Pittsburgh let you have an ultrasound or other testing and consult with an expert in real time. And, if you need more advanced treatment and must have your baby in Pittsburgh, we can help arrange that care.

You receive follow-up care and monitoring as needed in Erie.

Our Maternal-Fetal Medicine Experts

Our experts have received further fellowship training in MFM after completing an ob-gyn residency.

They can provide care for you and your unborn baby in complex situations.

• Beth Padin, PA-C, provides follow-up care when doctors are out of the office.