Pregnancy is a time of great expectations. Obstetricians and family physicians have the unique privilege of sharing in this special time by helping an expectant mother understand and cope with the physical changes she is undergoing. When a high risk situation or complication during pregnancy causes worry, an obstetrician wants to refer a patient to a facility where she will be confident and secure and where all of her needs will be met in a caring environment.
West Penn Allegheny Health System’s Program for High-Risk Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine combines the latest technology in high-risk obstetrical services with personalized care to help ensure the confidence of both the expectant mother and her physician.
Continuity of Care
We provide a unified, interdisciplinary approach to high-risk obstetrics. The program is coordinated by five perinatologists and integrates the expertise of West Penn Allegheny Health System Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Division of Neonatology. Full service, advanced facilities for both mother and baby are located under the same roof, saving precious time in situations where every moment is critical.
The program provides personal attention and maximizes continuity of care. The same perinatal team remains with the patient throughout the pregnancy to help ensure that no development is overlooked. This increased attentiveness allows us to tailor the program to each patient's needs and to each referring obstetricians's capabilities and requirements.
Varying degrees of participation exist--a referred patient may need only one visit to the program for a test or consultation, or in some cases, a full transfer of care can take place. In every case, our perinatologists act primarily as coordinators of care, making sure that all of the necessary specialists are involved in a patient's care.
Overall, we take a flexible, consultative approach to high-risk care, keeping the referring physician involved in each stage of care. The program's physician's provide prompt feedback to a referring physician via telephone and fax. The referring physician is also provided with direct, 24-hour access to a perinatologist via telephone and pager so there is no gap in communication.Perinatal Consultations
The perinatal staff is widely accessible for consultations to assess the risk factors involved in a patient's pregnancy. The following perinatal services are provided:
- Consultations regarding management of a pregnancy complicated by maternal disease such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cardiac disease and renal disease
- Consultations regarding previous pregnancy issues, including repeated losses, preterm delivery, severe intrauterine growth restriction and pre-eclampsia
- Consultation or complete management regarding abnormal fetal conditions
- Referral and/or assistance in performing amniocentesis (genetic and pulmonary) and in managing isoimmunization
- Advice regarding the timing and method of delivery
Prenatal Genetics and Genetic Counseling
This program offers evaluation and counseling for couples who are pregnant or planning a pregnancy and have a family history of birth defects, genetic disorders, intrauterine exposures, multiple miscarriages, or advanced maternal age. Professionally trained personnel assist individuals, couples, and families to understand genetic conditions or birth defects.
These professionals can also help in finding medical services and community aid for affected individuals and their families. Individuals and/or families who would benefit from genetic counseling include:
- Parents of a child with a genetic disorder, birth defect or chromosome abnormality
- Couples who have experienced repeated pregnancy loss
- Women who have been exposed to medications, drugs, radiation or other environmental agents
- Individuals with a family history of a birth defect, developmental delay or genetic condition
- Couples with advanced maternal or paternal age
- Members of certain ethnic groups at increased risk for genetic disorders (i.e. those of Eastern European Jewish, Italian, Greek, African-American or Caucasian descent) or a couple in which the partners are related to each other)
- Individuals interested in prenatal diagnosis including those with positive screening
The following services are also provided:
- Amniocentesis
- Chorionic villus sampling
- Fetal ultrasound evaluation
- Maternal serum screening and cytogenetic studies
- DNA analysis
- Fetal therapy or surgery
- 1st trimester screening
Physicians
Board Certified in Maternal Fetal Medicine
- Ronald Thomas, M.D.
- Jennifer Celebrezze, M.D.
- Steven H. Golde, M.D.
- Mark E. Caine, MD
- Ashi Daftary, MD
Board Certified in Medical Genetics
- Christann Jackson, MD
Ultrasound Evaluations
Obstetrical ultrasounds are performed by a sonographer and reviewed by a perinatologist, or a generalist who can offer detailed explanations to the patient during the evaluation and provide prompt, accurate feedback to the referring physician. Any abnormal results which require immediate attention are reported by telephone to the patient's physician.
Ultrasound evaluations are provided for possible fetal anomalies including assessments for:
- Elevated maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (MSAFP) levels
- Increased aneuploidy (chromosome abnormality) risk by multiple marker screening (MMS) or 1st trimester
- Neural tube/CNS defects
- Omphalocele/gastroschisis
- Renal abnormalities
- Cardiac defects
3D and 4D Ultrasounds
We receive many inquires regarding 3D and 4D ultrasounds of unborn babies. We perform ultrasound studies only as a diagnostic study ordered by a physician. We adhere to the guidelines of many national medical organizations including the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine. We do not perform examinations for keepsake or entertainment purposes. If we are able to obtain 3D pictures in the course of the examination, we are happy to provide them for our patients at no additional charge.
WPAHS Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Ultrasound Unit Accreditation
WPAHS Department of OB/GYN Ultrasound Unit is among a select group of ultrasound practices to achieve accreditation in obstetric and gynecologic ultrasound. The American Institute Of Ultrasound in Medicine's Ultrasound Practice Accreditation Council reviews numerous applications for accreditation each year. WPAHS unit has consistently achieved accreditation for meeting voluntary standards set by the diagnostic ultrasound profession.
Every three years, the WPAHS Ultrasound practice is reviewed including personnel, physical facilities, documentation, storage and record-keeping practices, policies and procedures and quality assurance methods; in meeting the AIUM standards."This accreditation further validates the outstanding quality of obstetrics and gynecological care that WPAHS offers women in the region, a commitment to maintaining the highest practice standards and most advanced technological resources to meet that challenge,” said Ronald Thomas, M.D..
Participation in the AIUM’s Ultrasound Practice Accreditation Program is voluntary and is available to practices in the following areas of ultrasound: abdominal/general, obstetrical or focused obstetrical, gynecological, vascular, breast or any combination of these areas. The accreditation process allows ultrasound practices the opportunity to assess their strengths and weaknesses and initiate changes for improving and strengthening their overall operation.
Gynecological ultrasounds are provided at both The Federal North office of Allegheny Perinatal Associates and the Radiology Department at West Penn Hospital.
Fetal Testing
The program offers a full range of fetal testing, including the following:
- Reviews of non-stress tests
- Evaluation of biophysical profiles
- Amniotic fluid indices
- Doppler flow assessments
Communication of results to the referring physician is immediate, via telephone or fax.
