Maria Sheikh, MD, MPH

Dr. Sheikh is a fellowship-trained obstetric anesthesiologist who specializes in the care of patients with high-risk pregnancies and those undergoing major and minor gynecologic procedures. She is skilled in placing labor epidurals, spinals, and regional blocks for pain management.

Dr. Sheikh is a passionate educator. She won Best Teacher of the Year in Obstetric Anesthesia twice during her appointment as Assistant Professor in the Department of Anesthesiology at Columbia University. In addition, she was co-director of Cardio-Obstetric Anesthesia and the Placenta Accreta Program. Dr. Sheikh has extensive training in point-of-care ultrasound and has served as faculty instructor at several ultrasound workshops organized by the Society for Obstetric Anesthesia and Perinatology and the American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine. In addition, she has traveled internationally to teach modern obstetric anesthesia techniques and point-of-care ultrasound, including her most recent trip to Novi Sad, Serbia.

She is an active member of the Society for Obstetric Anesthesia and Perinatology where she frequently presents her research and learns from her colleagues.

Personal Statement

I am deeply committed to providing the highest level of evidence-based care to my patients during their most stressful moments. I believe that shared decision-making and a tailored approach – especially during labor and delivery – create a better experience for patients and their families.

Clinical Interests

Placenta accreta spectrum, cardiovascular disease in pregnancy

Education

Organizations

Board Certification

American Board of Anesthesiology

* Texas Children’s Hospital physicians’ licenses and credentials are reviewed prior to practicing at any of our facilities. Sections titled From the Doctor, Professional Organizations and Publications were provided by the physician’s office and were not verified by Texas Children’s Hospital.

Research interests

Use of point-of-care ultrasound to improve maternal outcomes, regional anesthetic techniques to reduce post-Cesarean pain

Ansari J, Sheikh M, Riley E, Guo N, Traynor A, Carvalho B. A retrospective cohort study of the anesthetic management of postpartum tubal ligation. International Journal of Obstetric Anesthesia, 2024 May;58:103974. doi: 10.1016/j.ijoa.2023.103974. Epub 2024 Jan 3. PMID: 38508961

Ortner CM, Sheikh M, Athar MW, Padilla C, Guo N, Carvalho B. Feasibility of Focused Cardiac Ultrasound Performed by Trainees During Cesarean Delivery. Anesthesia & Analgesia, 2023 Dec 21. doi: 10.1213/ANE.0000000000006747. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38127663

Overton E, Booker WA, Mourad M, Moroz L, Nhan Chang CL, Breslin N, Syeda S, Laifer-Narin S, Cimic A, Chung DE, Weiner DM, Smiley R, Sheikh M, Mobley DG, Wright JD, Gockley A, Melamed A, St Clair C, Hou J, D'Alton M, Khoury Collado F. Prophylactic endovascular internal iliac balloon placement during cesarean hysterectomy for placenta accreta spectrum. American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology MFM, 2022 Sep;4(5):100657. doi: 10.1016/j.ajogmf.2022.100657. Epub 2022 May 18. PMID: 35597402

Sheikh M, Carvalho B, Boublik J, Ansari J. Superficial Cervical Plexus Block for Awake Large-Bore Central Line Placement in Parturients: A Case Series. A&A Practice, 2021 Mar 19;15(3):e01429. doi: 10.1213/XAA.0000000000001429. PMID: 33740791