High-risk pregnancy care in Northwest Florida

Experienced high-risk pregnancy care for women at Ascension Sacred Heart Regional Perinatal Center, Pensacola, Florida.

High-risk pregnancy care in Northwest Florida

Experienced high-risk pregnancy care for women at Ascension Sacred Heart Regional Perinatal Center, Pensacola, Florida.

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Why choose us

Maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) specialists at Ascension Sacred Heart High-risk Pregnancy Center start by listening to understand you. Experienced care teams deliver personalized care during your pregnancy, delivery and postpartum. Our specialists deliver advanced testing, monitoring and treatment for complex pregnancies, providing coordinated care with your OB-GYN.

Understanding high-risk pregnancy

A pregnancy may be considered high risk when you or your baby need extra monitoring or specialized care. This may be due to a medical condition, a complication that develops during pregnancy, or factors such as carrying multiples. If your pregnancy becomes high risk, you may have questions, expectations and some worries. That’s why the maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) specialists at Ascension Sacred Heart High-risk Pregnancy Center start by listening to understand you.

Symptoms of high-risk pregnancy

Tell your doctor if you have any of these signs during your pregnancy:

  • Bleeding or leaking fluid from the vagina
  • Blurry or impaired vision
  • Unusual or severe stomach pain or backaches
  • Frequent, severe, or constant headaches
  • Contractions, where your stomach muscles tighten, before 34 weeks that happen every 10 minutes or more often
  • Dizziness
  • Excessive vomiting and diarrhea
  • Fever or chills
  • Pain or burning with urination
  • Swelling of face, fingers, and feet
  • Inability to tolerate foods or liquids
  • Muscular convulsions
  • Decrease in baby's movements

How we diagnose high-risk pregnancy conditions

Your care plan may include advanced prenatal testing and monitoring. Our MFM specialists use detailed imaging, screenings and evaluations to understand your health and your baby’s development. Together, you and your doctor will choose the testing and care that is right for you.


Prenatal diagnostic tests may include:

Amniocentesis is a procedure used to take out a small sample of the amniotic fluid for testing. This is the fluid that surrounds the fetus in pregnancy. Amniotic fluid is a clear, pale yellow fluid that:

  • Protects the fetus from injury
  • Protects against infection
  • Allows the baby to move and develop properly
  • Helps control the temperature of the fetus

A biophysical profile is a test that is sometimes used during the third trimester of pregnancy. It is often done if there is a question about the baby’s health. This may be because of other test results or certain pregnancy symptoms, or because your pregnancy is high risk.

Cervical cerclage is a procedure that helps support the cervix during pregnancy. It involves placing a stitch to help keep the cervix closed, which may reduce the risk of early delivery. Your care team will talk with you about whether this option is right for you and guide you through each step with care and support.

Chorionic villus sampling (CVS) is a prenatal test. It’s used to test for chromosomal abnormalities and other genetic problems. During the test, a tissue sample is taken from the placenta and sent to a lab for analysis. The placenta is a structure in the uterus that provides blood and nutrients from the mother to the baby.

Doppler flow is a type of ultrasound. It uses sound waves to measure the flow of blood through a blood vessel. The results are shown on a computer screen in lines called waveforms. It’s sometimes called Doppler velocimetry. A Doppler flow study may be used during pregnancy to check the health of the unborn baby (fetus). It checks blood flow in:

  • The umbilical vein and arteries
  • The baby’s brain
  • The baby’s heart
  • Other organs in the baby

Fetal ultrasound is a test used during pregnancy. It creates an image of the baby in the mother's womb (uterus). It’s a safe way to check the health of an unborn baby. During a fetal ultrasound, the baby’s heart, head, and spine are evaluated, along with other parts of the baby. The test may be done either on the mother’s abdomen (transabdominal) or in the vagina (transvaginal).

Fetal echocardiography (echo) uses sound waves to check the heart of your developing baby. Fetal echo can help find heart defects before birth.

First trimester screening combines fetal ultrasound and blood tests for the mother. It’s done during the first trimester of pregnancy, during weeks 1 to 12 or 13. It can help find out the risk of the baby having certain birth defects. This includes chromosome defects, such as Down syndrome (trisomy 21), or trisomy 18 or 13.

Intensive care for newborns

You and your baby will have access to pediatric specialists and surgeons that focus on the unique needs of premature babies or babies born with serious health conditions. The Studer Family Children's Hospital has a Level III NICU that provides a high level of intensive care. Doctors, neonatal nurses and respiratory therapists can be at your baby's side any time, day or night. The children's hospital also provides coordinated care with Ascension Sacred Heart Hospital at the Emerald Coast's Family Birth Place.

Regional Perinatal Center at Ascension Sacred Heart

The Regional Perinatal Center provides specialized care for women with high-risk pregnancies and their babies. In every care setting, mothers receive education about their diagnosis, treatment plan and what to expect, along with multidisciplinary care coordination that may include social services and intensive care nursery staff when needed.

For women who need around-the-clock monitoring before delivery, our inpatient high-risk pregnancy unit at Ascension Sacred Heart Pensacola provides specialized care in a supportive environment for mothers and babies with more complex needs.

Satellite outreach clinics across Northwest Florida offer outpatient consultations, as well as genetic and preconception counseling.

Our Pensacola campus also includes the region's only Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) to care for critically ill and premature newborns.

Our locations

If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, go directly to the ER or call 911.

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