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

A diagnostic test to screen for chromosome abnormalities and inherited disorders. A sample of amniotic fluid is collected through an ultrasound guided needle inserted into the amniotic sac. The amniotic fluid is sent to a laboratory for analysis.

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.

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.

A non-invasive exam using ultrasound technology to generate pictures of a baby's heart. A maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) specialist or pediatric cardiologist will review the images to identify any congenital fetal heart anomalies.

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.

Pregnancy places extra stress on a woman's heart and circulatory system, causing the heart to work harder. The labor and delivery experience also adds to the heart's workload.

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.

A birth defect when the anus does not develop and a baby has no place for stool to exit.

While women with very mild kidney disease (stages 1-2), who are otherwise healthy, can expect to have a healthy pregnancy, those with moderate to severe kidney disease (stages 3-5) experience a much higher rate of complications.

Obesity during pregnancy puts both the mother and baby at serious risk of developing serious health problems, including gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, birth defects, preterm birth and pregnancy loss.