A mother who requires long-term bed rest or experiences complications during pregnancy may benefit from additional information and support. Our maternal-fetal medicine staff can answer your questions and provide information about the complications of pregnancy, the signs of preterm labor and the management of high-risk conditions. We also offer education about childbirth, breastfeeding or infant care.

Maternal-Fetal Medicine Specialist
A maternal-fetal medicine specialist is a physician with the additional education, certification and experience to care for women with high-risk pregnancies and their babies before and after birth. St. John’s Mercy has four maternal-fetal medicine specialists who are available 24 hours a day.

Their expertise and access to sophisticated diagnostic equipment and therapeutic techniques make St. John's Mercy an excellent choice for women with high-risk pregnancies.
Our maternal-fetal medicine specialists keep you and your physician fully informed about your care and progress. You may be referred to your obstetrician for delivery if your condition resolves or becomes more manageable.

Medical Services
St. John’s Mercy is a major tertiary care center serving a large geographic area. That means our staff has the experience, expertise and equipment to handle even the most intensive medical crisis. Our maternal-fetal medicine specialists provide the medical services and interventions you may need, or the special tests necessary to evaluate the health of your baby before birth. For example, in rare circumstances a baby may require a blood transfusion or even surgery before birth to ensure his or her good health. Our maternal-fetal medicine specialists can perform those specialized and delicate procedures. They, and the staff at St. John's Mercy, are committed to helping every woman deliver a healthy baby.

Multiple Births
Mothers with multiple gestation, such as twins, triplets or quadruplets, choose St. John’s Mercy because of our sophisticated technology and comprehensive, compassionate care. Our maternal-fetal medicine specialists have access to advanced diagnostic equipment and specialize in preventing preterm. birth. Their goal is to enable the delivery of a healthy infant as close to term as possible. If a preterm birth occurs, St. John’s Mercy's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is staffed 24 hours a day with board-certified maternal-fetal medicine specialists and specially trained support staff. Our excellence in critical-care medicine benefits both you and your baby.

Family Support
At St. John’s Mercy, we understand that a hospital stay may present additional challenges for your family and that you may need additional information or support. Staff members in our Pastoral Care and Social Services departments provide this assistance upon request.