Maternal Fetal Medicine

Maternal Fetal Medicine

We specialize in providing care for those with high-risk pregnancies. We offer pre-pregnancy planning consultations, full spectrum prenatal diagnosis, and personalized care when pregnancy complications arise.

Specialized Expertise for Comprehensive Maternal Fetal Care

Our providers collaborate with your local health care providers, a team of genetic counselors, neonatologists, pediatric and other adult specialists to provide comprehensive individualized maternal fetal medicine services. 

Our focus is the highest quality of care. We are fully accredited by the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine with highly qualified sonographers with an expertise in perinatal ultrasound.
 

Prenatal Testing and Genetic Counseling:

We provide the highest level of prenatal screening available, tailored to your expectations and goals, including:

  • First trimester screening (FTS)
  • Non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT)
  • Genetic carrier screening
  • Chorionic villous sampling (CVS)
  • Amniocentesis

Our Experienced Experts Offer:

  • Fetal Morphology (Level II) Ultrasound, including 3D and 4D images
  • Nuchal translucency ultrasound
  • 1st trimester and dating ultrasounds
  • Biophysical Profile (BPP) and Doppler ultrasounds
  • Genetic counseling and testing with our licensed genetic counselors
  • Preconception counseling and pregnancy planning for pre-existing medical conditions and prior pregnancy complications
  • Consultations for maternal and fetal conditions affecting pregnancy

Conditions We Treat:

  • Maternal medical conditions
  • Fetal anomalies/malformations
  • Twin, triplet, and higher order multiple gestations
  • Preeclampsia, gestational diabetes
  • Cervical insufficiency
  • Preterm labor/birth, premature rupture of membranes (PPROM)
  • Fetal genetic and chromosomal conditions
  • Fetal growth problems
  • Placental disorders
  • Fetal loss and recurrent miscarriages
  • Uterine abnormalities and fibroids

Introducing Elliot Screening Plus (ESP)

Elliot’s Screening Plus (ESP) Program provides the highest level of screening currently available. Your wishes and goals for screening are discussed and the ESP is tailored to your needs.

As part of the ESP Program, you will first meet with a genetic counselor to review the process and options for screening. The genetic counselor will coordinate your testing and report all results to you and your obstetric provider.

The ESP Program will typically include:

  • First Trimester, 11 to 14 weeks
    • First trimester screening (FTS) or non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT)
    • Carrier screening for you and your partner
    • Nuchal translucency ultrasound
  • Second Trimester, 18 to 22 weeks
    • AFP screening (for spina bifida)
    • Targeted anatomy ultrasound

First trimester screening (FTS) and sequential screening (SEQ) combine the nuchal translucency ultrasound with analysis of markers in a mother’s blood to screen for Down syndrome, trisomy 18 and spina bifida. This screening is currently the standard of care in lower risk women. It is less sensitive than NIPT, but still identifies over 85 percent of babies with these conditions.

Non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) allows us to analyze pieces of DNA from the pregnancy in a mother’s blood. Currently, NIPT can screen for Down syndrome, trisomy 18, trisomy 13 and other chromosome conditions. NIPT is far more sensitive and accurate than traditional screening. As with any new technology, there are considerations that are unique to NIPT and are important to discuss with a genetic counselor prior to testing.

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Carrier screening looks for conditions that are inherited from both parents. A blood test is done to look for common mutations in a particular gene that are known to cause a disease. Traditional carrier screening analyzes one gene or condition per blood test. Cystic fibrosis screening is an example of traditional carrier screening. Expanded carrier screening allows us to look for common mutations in multiple genes with a single blood test.

The nuchal translucency is a measurement of a pocket of fluid under the skin at the back of a baby’s neck. It is performed at 11-14 weeks of pregnancy. Babies with Down syndrome and other chromosome conditions often have extra fluid, resulting in an increased measurement. Nuchal translucency is also an early predictor of birth defects, other rare genetic syndromes and overall pregnancy health.

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Providers

Our maternal fetal medicine physicians provide expert specialized care for high-risk pregnancies in a compassionate and supportive environment.

Contact Us

Elliot Hospital Medical Office Building
4 Elliot Way
2nd floor
Manchester, NH 03103