The science of maternal fetal medicine (MFM) is ever changing, and with these changes come advances designed to make high-risk pregnancies less risky and more successful for both expectant mothers and their babies. While fetal heart rate monitoring isn’t necessarily new to obstetrics, there is a surprising amount of variation in interpretation of fetal heart…
Genetic counseling is the process of helping patients at risk of an inherited condition understand the consequences and nature of the condition, the probability of transmitting it to their future child, as well as the options available for managing that condition. Our genetic counselors are board certified or board eligible by the American Board of…
Preeclampsia is a condition that can generate risks for both mother and child in the later stages of pregnancy and the first few weeks after birth. Characterized as a progressive, high-blood-pressure condition during pregnancy, preeclampsia typically occurs after 20 weeks of gestation and up to 6 weeks after delivery. Symptoms of Preeclampsia Include: Sudden weight…
During pregnancy, skin changes are common and not often discussed. Be aware of these common changes, and be sure to discuss them with your doctor.
There is no right time to learn that your baby has a heart defect. While great advances have been made in infant heart surgery, there’s no way to prepare for that kind of news. The prognosis, however, can be much better when a diagnosis is made early. The majority of babies with congenital heart defects…
Ultrasounds, Blood Tests and Beyond You’ve just found out you’re pregnant. You’re excited, but you want to make sure the pregnancy is going well before you announce it to all your family and friends. Happily, there are now several screenings that can be performed in the first 10 to 14 weeks of pregnancy to detect…
The Best Holiday Gift We Can Give During the holiday season, we all spend more than a little time considering the perfect gifts for our loved ones, friends and associates. A bottle of perfume? A piece of jewelry? A great book? Something for the kitchen? A fruit basket? The process can get so stressful we…
Preconception planning helps you avoid possible complications Planning for your future pregnancies with a pre-pregnancy consult is the single best way to avoid complications during pregnancy. But too few women are aware of the benefits of preconception consultation. Many don’t think they need to talk with a doctor until after they have seen the positive…
We welcome Dr. Patricia Pierce to our growing practice. The need for maternal fetal medicine (MFM) services in Las Vegas is growing, as more women have babies at an older age and go into pregnancy with preexisting health conditions that threaten their own and their babies’ health. To meet the demand, the High Risk Pregnancy…
Heather’s Story: Heartbreak Turns into A “True Miracle” Heather had gone through six IVF cycles to get pregnant the first time. But at 17 weeks, she came down with a 72-hour migraine and began to lose her speech. She was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit and in a haze heard doctors say she had…