Maternal Fetal Medicine Center

What is a high-risk pregnancy?

All pregnancies carry some risks, but certain health conditions and other issues can make a pregnancy high risk. A high-risk pregnancy carries increased health risks for you, your baby or both. Some pregnancies become high risk as they progress, and some women have a higher risk of complications before they get pregnant.

If you have a high-risk pregnancy, it’s important to seek expert care and careful monitoring from experienced specialists. At Texas Children’s Pavilion for Women, the Maternal-Fetal Medicine Center focuses on exceptional care to keep you and your baby safe throughout pregnancy and delivery.

Women with high-risk pregnancies may need extra care before, during and after they give birth to keep them as healthy as possible. But having a high-risk pregnancy doesn’t mean that you or your baby will have problems. Many women have healthy pregnancies and normal labor and delivery — especially with the right care.

Benefits for mom and baby at the Maternal-Fetal Medicine Center

Families come to the Maternal-Fetal Medicine Center for our:

Expertise in high-risk pregnancy care

Our maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) doctors are Ob/Gyns with additional years of specialized training to provide high-risk pregnancy care. We’re experienced in evaluating, diagnosing and treating pregnant women at risk for serious complications during pregnancy. Our specialists also conduct research and train the next generation of MFM doctors, staying at the forefront of high-risk pregnancy care.

Programs and services focused on your and your baby’s health needs

At the Maternal-Fetal Medicine Center, we tailor our high-risk pregnancy care to the unique health needs of you and your baby. Our specialized programs offer the high-level care and services you and your baby need as you progress through your pregnancy. Our team approach brings together specialists from multiple fields for fetal imaging, genetic counseling and care for multiple pregnancies, heart disease, infectious disease and other conditions. Learn more about our maternal-fetal medicine programs and services.

Advanced fetal imaging and diagnostic testing

We use the latest diagnostic tests to evaluate the health of your unborn baby. Many techniques are noninvasive or minimally invasive, with little discomfort. Our skilled imaging specialists offer the most advanced fetal ultrasound and MRI techniques to identify potential health problems early and help plan your baby’s care. Our MFM ultrasound program has received accreditation from the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM).

Comprehensive care for the most complex conditions during pregnancy

Our MFM specialists are experienced in managing the full range of high-risk pregnancies, from women with long-term health conditions to those facing urgent life-threatening complications. Learn more about the conditions we treat.

Access to nationally recognized pediatric care before and after birth

As part of one of the nation’s top pediatric hospitals, we offer your family seamless, timely access to critical services for babies who need extra care and monitoring. We coordinate your baby’s prenatal care with the Fetal Center™ and neonatal care with the Newborn Center. Our Level II, III and IV neonatal intensive care units (NICU) offer the highest levels of care for premature and critically ill babies. No matter how complex the condition is, we have specialists who can provide care, with more than 40 pediatric specialties at Texas Children’s.

Convenient Locations

You’ll find our community clinics close to home, work and school with locations at the Pavilion for Women, across Houston and in Lufkin and Austin. Find a location near you.

Find a Location

Collaboration with your primary OB/GYN

Our MFM doctors work together with your primary OB/GYN to provide additional, specialized care throughout your pregnancy and delivery. From consultations to comanagement to total obstetric care, we customize a plan for you and your OB/GYN to carry out.