Nothing is more personal than bringing your child into the world. It should be a journey full of choices and options. 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. An experienced care team delivers personalized care during your pregnancy, delivery and postpartum. Our board-certified MFM specialists provide consultations, diagnostic testing and ultrasounds. Your doctor and care team collaborate to help deliver care that’s right for you and your situation.
Perinatal Center recognized for high-quality care and services
Florida Health recognizes Ascension Sacred Heart as a Regional Perinatal Intensive Care Center (RPICC). Our Perinatal Center aims to improve the outcome of pregnancy and the quality of life for you and your baby at delivery. Obstetrical services are provided to women who have a high-risk pregnancy. Intensive care is available to newborns with special health needs, such as critical illness or low birth weight. Advanced ultrasound testing is provided as part of our inpatient and outpatient care for high-risk obstetric patients. Our doctors and care teams monitor the growth and development of your baby and the mother’s health.
Northwest Florida's only regional perinatal center
We also have the region’s only Level III neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) to provide care for premature babies and newborns with health conditions.
To deliver a full range of care, our multispecialty care team includes social workers and newborn intensive care specialists. We can also connect you to satellite outreach clinics in Ft. Walton Beach, Miramar Beach and Crestview for outpatient consultations, and genetic and preconception counseling.
Maternal health care and pregnancy planning
Pregnancy puts demands on your body that may worsen chronic health conditions, such as high blood pressure, diabetes or kidney disease. If you have one of these conditions or have experienced pregnancy complications in the past, we are ready to help. At a preconception consultation, your MFM specialist will review your medical history and work with you to create a plan for your next pregnancy. If you’ve had multiple miscarriages, your doctors can assess and recommend treatments to help reduce future risk.
MFM services are coordinated with your OB
If an MFM appointment is recommended by your OB, here is what to expect:
- MFM consultation that includes an ultrasound test
- Co-management of your pregnancy with your referring doctor
- Coordinated care to monitor high-risk pregnancy (labor and delivery)
Sometimes women need to be closely monitored at the Perinatal Center. Your doctor will make the arrangements for transfer to our inpatient high-risk pregnancy unit at Ascension Sacred Heart Pensacola. We provide extended stay, around-the-clock monitoring. The rooms at the Center strive to provide a comfortable, soothing experience. And we offer support and activities such as a social hour when patients can meet other moms-to-be.
High-risk pregnancy conditions
Every pregnancy is unique, and our experienced specialists are ready to deliver the care right for you. We treat and help you manage a range of health conditions, including:
- Diabetes
- Genetic disorders
- High blood pressure
- Infectious diseases
- Multiple gestations (twins and triplets)
- Placenta previa
- Preeclampsia
- Premature rupture of the amniotic membranes
- Preterm labor
- Rhesus (RH) disease
Prenatal testing
Prenatal testing will help your doctor determine whether your baby will need extra care before, during or after delivery. Comprehensive testing is only available at specific sites of care, such as the Ascension Sacred Heart Regional Perinatal Center. Prenatal diagnostic tests include:
- Amniocentesis
- Biophysical profiles
- Cervical cerclage
- Chorionic Villus Sampling
- Diabetic management
- Doppler-flow studies
- Fetal diagnosis
- Fetal echocardiography
- First-trimester screening
- Genetic counseling
- Intravenous fetal therapy
- Ultrasound (diagnostic or targeted)
The regional perinatal center is accredited in obstetrical ultrasound by the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine. All services are provided to those staying in the hospital and seen as outpatient.
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.
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