Perinatal Associates of the Mid-Atlantic, part of Pediatrix Medical Group

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About Our Practice

Perinatal Associates of the Mid-Atlantic provides care and treatment to women whose pregnancies are considered high-risk, specifically with conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, multiple gestation, recurrent miscarriage, family history of genetic diseases, and other complications. Our practice works very closely with our OB/GYN partners to create custom care plans for each of our patients.

Our team includes physicians that are board certified in obstetrics and gynecology and maternal-fetal medicine, high risk sonographers, genetic counselors, nurses and experienced support staff.

Our practice has proudly served patients across Maryland, Virginia and the Washington, DC Metro area since 2004.

AIUM Certified
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.

Guest Policy

One guest may accompany the patient to her appointment. That guest must be over the age of 18. No infants or children may enter the office.

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.
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.
Fetal Echocardiogram
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.
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.
Cystic Fibrosis Carrier Screening

Cystic fibrosis (CF) carrier screening is a genetic test that determines if a mother or father is a carrier of the changed gene that causes CF. The test identifies if either parent has an increased chance of having a child born with CF. A prenatal diagnostic test determines if the fetus has CF or is a carrier if a woman is already pregnant.
Ethnicity-Based Carrier Screening

This type of genetic test screens for disorders based on patients' ethnicity or family history. Certain ethnic groups have higher rates of carriers for specific genetic disorders. If both partners are members of a high-risk group for a certain disorder, carrier screening may be recommended as part of preconception or prenatal care.
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.
High-Risk Ultrasound

A high-risk ultrasound enables a maternal-fetal medicine specialist (also called a perinatologist) to identify potential problems of a fetus using advanced ultrasound equipment. The high-risk ultrasound allows specialists to examine the developing baby's organs, umbilical cord, amniotic fluid levels, placenta and fetal heart rate to help determine if the fetus is developing as expected.
High-Risk Obstetric Care and Consults

An extra level of care available to women at risk of experiencing problems during or after their pregnancy. A variety of risk factors can make a pregnancy high-risk, including advanced maternal age, chronic health conditions, problems with a previous pregnancy and problems that develop during pregnancy. A high-risk pregnancy means the baby is at a higher risk of having health problems during pregnancy, birth or after delivery. Women having a high-risk pregnancy should be seen more frequently for close monitoring by a maternal-fetal medicine specialist, a physician specially trained to treat high-risk pregnancies.
In Vitro Fertilization

In vitro fertilization combines an egg and sperm for fertilization outside the body (in vitro), such as in a test tube or culture dish. The process involves monitoring and stimulating an individual's ovulatory process, removing an ovum (mature female reproductive cell) from the ovaries and enabling sperm to fertilize it in a laboratory environment.
Inpatient Consultation and Care
Management of 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).
Management of Multiple Gestations (twins or more)

Pregnant women carrying multiples (twins, triplets, quadruplets, etc.) are at an increased risk of experiencing complications such as preterm delivery, low birth weight and preeclampsia. A maternal-fetal medicine specialist specializes in the care of women experiencing a high-risk pregnancy, such as multiples, and has the additional training and experience required to treat any complications experienced during a pregnancy.
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.
Special Ultrasound Exams

Our maternal-fetal medicine doctors have special training and certification to perform types of ultrasound that may not be available from a radiology service or a general obstetrician. These exams are performed in special situations, not in every pregnancy. Special exams include: Biophysical profile (A focused check of fetal movements and amniotic fluid (the liquid surrounding the fetus) to check on fetal well-being), Cervix length (If the cervix is short, there is a risk of preterm birth and special treatment might be needed), Doppler (Measurement of blood flow through certain blood vessels (umbilical cord, arteries in fetal brain, other blood vessels) to check on fetal well-being), Fetal echocardiogram (A detailed exam of the fetal heart to look for heart defects), 3-D Ultrasound (still pictures that appear 3-dimensional. These are used to get details for certain types of birth defects), 4-D ultrasound (Videos that appear 3-dimensional. These are used to get details of certain types of birth defects).

Conditions Treated

Diabetes

Diabetic neuropathy is a nerve disorder caused by diabetes. Over time, high blood sugar levels from diabetes can damage nerves throughout the body. - There are several types of diabetic neuropathy. Peripheral neuropathy reduces the ability to sense pain, touch, temperature and vibration in certain parts of the body. It may also affect movement and muscle strength. - Autonomic neuropathy may cause problems with the nerves that control the involuntary functions of the body, such as heartbeat, blood pressure, sweating, digestion, urination and some aspects of sexual function. - Focal neuropathy affects a single nerve, most often in the wrist, thigh or foot. It may also affect the nerves of the back, chest and those that control the eye muscles. It often develops suddenly and is the rarest form.
Heart Disease
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.
Kidney Disease
Morbidly Obese Patients
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).
Prematurity
High-Risk Pregnancy

A variety of risk factors can make a pregnancy high-risk, including advanced maternal age, chronic health conditions, problems with a previous pregnancy and problems that develop during pregnancy. A high-risk pregnancy means the baby is at a higher risk of having health problems during pregnancy, birth or after delivery. Women having a high-risk pregnancy should be seen more frequently for close monitoring by a maternal-fetal medicine specialist, a physician specially trained to treat high-risk pregnancies.