Maternal-Fetal Medicine focuses on the assessment of your baby through a variety of tests.
These tests are ordered to offer reassurance that your baby is doing well during your pregnancy. If a risk factor is discovered during your pregnancy, a specific individualized program of testing will be ordered by your obstetrician and/or the Prenatal Testing Center. After your baby is born there are several procedures, screening and tests performed to ensure your baby’s health and safety.
Most babies are born normal. All women, however, have a very small chance of having a baby with a chromosome problem such as Down Syndrome. This risk is related to the mother’s age at delivery.
Along with the tests that are performed on our unit, we commonly request that you also conduct a daily test of fetal health in your home.
You may be referred by your obstetrician’s office to the Prenatal Testing Center for a "Level-II" or "Targeted" ultrasound exam.
Women over age 35 have an increased risk of giving birth to babies with Down syndrome and other chromosomal conditions.
The NST has become the most common method of antepartum screening for fetal well-being.
An ultrasound examination can diagnose either too little or too much amniotic fluid.
A biophysical profile (BPP) is a prenatal ultrasound evaluation of fetal wellbeing, involving a scoring system.