High-Risk Pregnancy Care
The Vanderbilt High-Risk Pregnancy Care team treats a variety of conditions that can lead to challenges during pregnancy. Whether you have a medical condition that may affect your pregnancy, have suffered complicated past pregnancies, or are facing a new diagnosis of fetal or placental abnormality, our experts are here to help you navigate your unique situation. Our goal is to work together with you and your support team, including family, friends, and medical experts, to manage conditions that have the potential to affect your pregnancy — paving the way for a healthy pregnancy and a safe delivery.
Conditions We Treat
We treat any medical condition or pre-existing illness that could affect a pregnancy, including patients with histories of pregnancy complications. Some conditions our experts treat include:
- Chronic kidney disease
- Common fetal conditions
- Diabetes
- Heart disease in pregnancy
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
Meet Your Care Team
Kelly A. BennettMD, MS
- Fetal Anomalies in Pregnancy, Gynecology, High Risk Pregnancy, Maternal Fetal Medicine (High Risk Pregnancy)
Lavenia B. CarpenterMD
- Gynecology, HIV in Pregnancy, High Risk Pregnancy, Maternal Fetal Medicine (High Risk Pregnancy)
Emad A. ElsamadicyMD, MS
- Consult for Maternal Fetal Medicine, Diabetic Care in Pregnancy, Fetal Anomalies in Pregnancy, Gynecology, High Risk Pregnancy, Maternal Fetal Medicine (High Risk Pregnancy), Obstetrics and Gynecology
Etoi A. GarrisonMD, PhD
- Diabetes and Endocrinology, Gestational Diabetes and Endocrine Disorders in Pregnancy, Maternal Fetal Medicine (High Risk Pregnancy)
Luke A. GattaMD
- Consult for Maternal Fetal Medicine, Diabetic Care in Pregnancy, Drug Dependency in Pregnancy, Gynecology, Maternal Cardiac Disease in Pregnancy, Maternal Fetal Medicine (High Risk Pregnancy), Obstetrics and Gynecology
Matthew R. GraceMD
- Diabetic Care in Pregnancy, Fetal Anomalies in Pregnancy, Gynecology, High Risk Pregnancy, Maternal Cardiac Disease in Pregnancy, Maternal Fetal Medicine (High Risk Pregnancy)
Martha E. DudekMS
- Fetal Anomalies in Pregnancy, Genetic Counseling, Genetics, Gynecology, Maternal Fetal Medicine (High Risk Pregnancy), Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility
Why Choose High-Risk Pregnancy Care at Vanderbilt
- Highly skilled doctors
Providing care for a high-risk pregnancy requires a special set of skills, knowledge and expertise. Our team features doctors who are board certified in obstetrics and in gynecology and maternal-fetal medicine, with training and experience from leading institutions around the country. You may be experiencing a health-related issue that might affect your pregnancy, or your unborn child may have a medical issue that needs to be addressed prior to birth. In either case, you can be confident in knowing you will receive the very best treatment from doctors who have been specifically trained in managing complex pregnancies.
- Team approach
Because there are many conditions that can result in a pregnancy becoming high risk, we work closely with other Vanderbilt doctors who specialize in a wide variety of areas — from endocrinology to addiction to anesthesia. We also regularly talk with your OB/GYN so that, when possible, you’ll have the option of delivering your baby in a hospital close to your home and support network. We also coordinate care with our fetal center, genetic counselors, neonatologists and a many other pediatric sub-specialists.
- Personalized care
Each pregnancy is unique, especially high-risk pregnancies, So, your treatment plan will be unique, too. We’ll work with you to learn about challenges with your pregnancy and provide care that’s customized to you and your baby. We also work with you to transition from pregnancy care to postpartum care to ensure good communication and continuity of care after pregnancy.
- Innovative research and treatment options
We’re always looking for new and better ways to help ensure the health of both you and your unborn child. Our team is known for successfully developing and performing complex procedures, including in-utero spina bifida repairs.
- Recognized care
The Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital provides the highest designated level of neonatal care in Tennessee. This comprehensive care team has the expertise and experience to care for the most complex situations and critically ill newborns. All subspecialties within neonatology are represented at Vanderbilt. This means we can provide any care your baby needs right here.
- Telehealth
You may want to learn if your baby is at risk for birth defects or any genetic disorders. If so, you can receive genetic counseling from Vanderbilt no matter where you’re located. You can speak with one of our genetic counselors via video to get guidance and answers to your questions.
Tests, Treatments and Services
We offer a full range of tests, treatments and services, including:
- Amniocentesis
- Chorionic villus sampling
- Fetal blood sampling and transfusion
- Genetic counseling
- In-utero shunt placement
- In-utero surgery
- In-utero surgery for spina bifida
Locations
Our Clarksville, Franklin, Columbia and Murfreesboro locations provide maternal-fetal consultations. Our Cool Springs, Lawrenceburg, Mt. Juliet, Nashville and Springfield locations provide only ultrasounds for high-risk pregnancies. Images taken in these locations are read by our specialists remotely.