Maternal-Fetal Medicine Specialists of Southern California, part of Pediatrix Medical Group

About Our Practice

Our practice is dedicated to providing state-of-the-art, evidence-based care for patients with high-risk pregnancies and their fetuses and infants.

Highly Trained Maternal-Fetal Medicine Specialists

This is why we have highly trained and board-certified or eligible maternal-fetal medicine specialists that “take great care“ of our patients and their babies.

Diagnostic Ultrasound

Additionally, we are accredited by the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine. This accreditation is your assurance that the obstetrical ultrasounds we perform meet the strict quality standards of the Institute.

What is an MFM?

Our board-certified maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) specialists provide prenatal care for expectant patients with complicated or high-risk pregnancies. They offer advanced medical care, monitoring and diagnostic services to help ensure the health and well-being of both the mother and her unborn baby. Our MFM specialists collaborate closely with OBGYNs, enhancing the comprehensive care provided to expectant mothers.
Hospital Affiliations
- Presbyterian Intercommunity Hospital
- Orange Coast Memorial Medical Center
- Long Beach Memorial Medical Center
- Hoag Hospital Irvine
- Hoag Hospital
- Saddleback Memorial Medical Center
- Providence Little Comp of Mary Medical Center Torrance
- Desert Regional Medical Center

Services Offered

Amniocentesis
Antenatal (Prenatal) Testing (Screening)

Antenatal or prenatal diagnostic screening, refers to a variety of testing options available to determine if a fetus has certain abnormalities. Many of the tests are conducted by an obstetrician (OB) as routine prenatal screening, including ultrasound, nuchal translucency screening and testing of a pregnant woman's blood to help estimate the risk of certain abnormalities. When a test indicates a higher risk, additional tests are available to further analyze the fetus. These additional tests, such as amniocentesis and chronic villus sampling, are often more invasive and have additional risks to the fetus and should be conducted by a maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) specialist.
Biophysical Profile (BPP)

A biophysical profile (BPP) is a diagnostic test used to evaluate fetal well-being after the 28th week of pregnancy. This includes both an ultrasound evaluation and a nonstress test (NST). It produces a score based on fetal heart rate, fetal breathing movements, fetal body movements, fetal muscle tone and the amount of amniotic fluid. The resulting scores help determine plan of care and if an earlier delivery should be considered.
Chorionic Villus Sampling

CVS is a diagnostic test to screen for chromosome abnormalities and inherited disorders by analyzing the chorionic villi cells from the placenta. The placenta cells are collected either transcervically, using an ultrasound guided catheter inserted through the cervix to gently suction the cells, or transabdominally, through a long thin needle inserted into the placenta through the abdomen.
Diabetes Management in Pregnancy

Women diagnosed with diabetes before or during pregnancy have difficulties producing the appropriate amount of insulin to process glucose, or sugar, in their bodies. Improper management of diabetes during pregnancy can lead to serious health problems for both the mother and baby. A maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) specialist is specially trained to treat women with diabetes during pregnancy. Through frequent prenatal visits, an MFM specialist can monitor and provide recommendations to help manage blood glucose levels through a combination of healthy eating, exercise and medications.
Fetal Echocardiogram
First Trimester Prenatal Screening

While most pregnant women will give birth to healthy infants, some infants are born with physical and mental disabilities. In some infants, the problem is a chromosomal abnormality such as Down syndrome, Trisomy 18 or 13, where there is extra chromosomal material that leads to serious intellectual disability and birth defects. Although any woman can give birth to an infant with a chromosomal abnormality, the risk increases gradually with age. Chromosomal abnormalities are diagnosed by amniocentesis or chorionic villous sampling (CVS). These procedures carry small risks of miscarriage (amniocentesis is about 1in 500, and CVS is about 1in 100). Although there are no alternative tests for an accurate diagnosis, non-invasive alternatives, referred to as screening tests, are available. Available screening tests are typically performed in either the first or second trimester.
Genetic Counseling

Support provided by a genetic professional or qualified physician to the patient and the doctor by identifying genetic risk, discussing family history, explaining available testing options and implications of test results, as well as providing patient education. Genetic counselors or qualified physicians, act as patient advocates translating medical and scientific knowledge into practical information. In addition, resources are available to provide support to anyone who may be at risk for a variety of inherited conditions or birth defects, such as cystic fibrosis or disorders common to a particular race or ethnic group. This information is provided in a non-directive, unbiased manner and allows the patient to make their own decisions regarding testing options.
Growth ultrasound
Nonstress Test (NST)
Pre-Conception Counseling

An evaluation of a woman's current health and medical history to help identify opportunities to better prepare the body for becoming pregnant and to counsel her on risks and management of future pregnancy. The evaluation may include a review of the patient's current lifestyle and medical/obstetric history, including current medications, screening and treatment for any infectious diseases, immunization updates, education and recommendations on behavior modifications to reduce risk factors.
Routine Pregnancy Ultrasound

Ultrasound is a method to get pictures or videos of the fetus (unborn baby). It can be used to help determine the due date, to find out whether there is only one fetus or multiples (twins, triplets, etc), to check on whether the fetus is growing normally, and to look for birth defects or other problems. The method uses sound waves to make the images, not x-rays or radiation. Ultrasound is painless and safe for both mother and fetus.
Screen for malformations, anatomy scan

Conditions Treated

Advanced Maternal Age

Women who become pregnant after age 35 are more likely to have pre-existing health problems that can complicate pregnancy and are at greater risk for complications like high blood pressure, abnormal fetal growth, and diabetes in pregnancy. There is also an increased risk for certain fetal genetic abnormalities, specifically trisomies (where the fetus has an extra chromosome).
Bleeding

Light vaginal bleeding or spotting is common in the first trimester. Bleeding in later pregnancy can indicate more serious conditions, such as inflammation of the cervix or problems with the placenta. Any amount of bleeding later in pregnancy could indicate preterm labor. Any bleeding at any time during pregnancy should be addressed by a medical professional. If there is heavy bleeding late in pregnancy, contact your OBGYN immediately or go to the hospital to be evaluated.
Cancer-related Complications
Complex Surgical History
Complications From Medical Conditions

Various pre-existing chronic conditions (rheumatologic, endocrine, etc.) may require specialized pre-conception counseling and prenatal care. A maternal-fetal medicine specialist will work with a multidisciplinary team, including your OBGYN, to ensure a healthy pregnancy by adjusting medications, monitoring hormones and other interventions, as needed.
Gestational Diabetes

Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that can develop during pregnancy in women who don't already have diabetes because of the body's inability to make enough insulin. While patients can sometimes manage the condition with lifestyle changes alone, some may require insulin and/or oral medication to achieve optimal glucose levels. Those who are diagnosed late in pregnancy typically respond well to lifestyle changes, whereas those diagnosed early on are more likely to require insulin as hormones naturally increase throughout the pregnancy.
Heart Disease
History of IUFD or stillbirth
Hypertension

Hypertension or high blood pressure, can be present before pregnancy (chronic hypertension) or develop during pregnancy (gestational hypertension). Pregnant women with hypertension are at risk of developing preeclampsia, experiencing both high blood pressure and protein in the urine, which can lead to serious complications for both the mother and baby.
Imperforate anus
Kidney Disease
Known/suspected fetal anomaly

A known/suspected fetal anomaly is when prenatal screening tests indicate the risk of potential conditions the baby may have while still in the womb, such as a central nervous system malformation, chromosomal abnormalities, hereditary or viral diseases and more. Having an early indication allows for possible treatment and the establishment of a plan of care to monitor and address them.
Known/suspected placental abnormality

Known/suspected placental abnormalities are high-risk conditions that can be managed by MFM specialists. Some placental abnormalities are placenta previa (placenta completely or partially covers the cervix) or the placenta accreta spectrum (PAS), which includes placenta accreta, increta or percreta (placenta attached too deeply to the uterine wall at various depths).
Known/suspected polyhydramnios/oligohydramnios

Polyhydramnios (excess amniotic fluid) and oligohydramnios (too little amniotic fluid) are conditions that can be detected via ultrasound and require close monitoring by the care team. These conditions can lead to preterm labor or developmental issues, so specialist care is recommended to determine underlying causes and develop treatment plans.
Morbidly Obese Patients
Preterm labor

Preterm labor is any labor that starts between 20 and 37 weeks of pregnancy, characterized by regular contractions that trigger cervical changes within that period. Going into preterm labor does not guarantee a preterm birth, but immediate medical attention is crucial. Preterm labor could be caused by certain risk factors, such as maternal conditions (severe high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity), fetal growth restriction, prior surgery of the uterus and certain other reasons. However, preterm labor can also happen with no known risk factors. <br /> <div> </div>
Recurrent pregnancy loss

Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) refers to the consecutive loss or miscarriage of two or more pregnancies. Many factors can affect the risk of RPL, including genetics, age, uterine anomalies and infection. Early screening and appropriate counseling and support measures can be incorporated into a plan of care to try to address and manage RPL factors for future pregnancies.
Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes occurs when the body does not make insulin. Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body is unable to use insulin properly. Improper management of diabetes during pregnancy can lead to serious health problems for both the mother and baby. A maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) specialist is specially trained to treat women with diabetes during pregnancy. Through frequent prenatal visits, an MFM specialist can monitor and provide recommendations to help manage blood glucose levels through a combination of healthy eating, exercise and medications.
Viability

Viability refers to whether a pregnancy is expected to continue developing normally. A normally developing pregnancy would be considered viable, while early pregnancy loss or miscarriage would not. Clinicians utilize ultrasound results and hormone levels in the early stages of pregnancy to assess whether a pregnancy is viable.