Perinatology

High-risk pregnancy care by expert perinatologists in San Diego

A pregnant woman embracing her child and smiling at her.

High-risk pregnancy care by expert perinatologists in San Diego

Being pregnant can be a joyful and exciting experience, and most women have a smooth pregnancy without any serious issues. But some moms-to-be have health conditions that can raise the risk of having problems during their pregnancy. Other women have normal pregnancies, but their obstetrician’s office may not offer detailed ultrasound exams. 


In either case, these women may be referred to a perinatologist. These physicians specialize in high-risk pregnancy care and perform detailed ultrasounds for women when requested by the obstetrician. 


At Scripps, our perinatal doctors partner with your obstetrician and care team to help you and your baby stay healthy and safe. We understand that having a high-risk pregnancy can cause uncertainty and concern, and we provide expert care with compassion and kindness throughout your pregnancy and delivery. In addition to caring for women in San Diego, our pregnancy specialists provide consultations and second opinions to women from across California and out of state. We’re here for you and your baby.


Find a Scripps maternal-fetal medicine specialist.

What is perinatology?

Perinatology is a medical specialty within obstetrics and gynecology that focuses on the care of pregnant women who have a higher risk of complications in pregnancy. Perinatologists, also known as maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) specialists, care for the health and safety of both the mother and her baby during pregnancy, labor and delivery.


Perinatologists also offer pre-pregnancy consultations for women who are planning to get pregnant and have existing health issues that may lead to pregnancy complications.

Who needs to see a perinatologist?

Our perinatology team is highly skilled at performing ultrasounds throughout pregnancy. Your obstetrician may send you to a perinatologist (also called a maternal-fetal medicine specialist) for many reasons, such as routine ultrasounds or to further evaluate concerns about the health and safety of your pregnancy.


Some women have pre-existing health conditions that raise their risk of complications if they get pregnant. Other women develop problems while they are pregnant, such as gestational diabetes. 


You may need to see a perinatologist for many reasons, including:


  • You have diabetes or you develop diabetes during pregnancy (gestational diabetes) 
  • You have a history of heart disease or high blood pressure 
  • You are over the age of 35
  • You have a history of past pregnancy problems, including preterm labor or multiple miscarriages 
  • You develop preeclampsia, which is high blood pressure caused by pregnancy
  • You have an infectious disease, including hepatitis or HIV/AIDS
  • You have kidney or gastrointestinal disease
  • You are expecting more than one baby (for example, twins or triplets)
  • Your prenatal tests show anything unusual 

Our approach to treating high-risk pregnancy

As a leading maternal and fetal medicine center, Scripps provides expert, comprehensive care to our high-risk moms and their babies through evidence-based clinical perinatal medicine, education and research. Along with your perinatologist, you’ll have a multidisciplinary team of experienced professionals caring for you that may include your OB-GYN, sonographers, genetic counselors, advanced practice nurses, nutritionists and neonatologists. 


Your Scripps perinatal care team takes a personal and compassionate approach to your care. We pay attention to not only your medical needs, but also the stress and anxiety that can come with a high-risk pregnancy. We are committed to treating every patient with respect, integrity and honesty.

Perinatology treatments and services

Scripps perinatologists combine their expertise with advanced technology to diagnose perinatal conditions and develop a treatment plan specifically for you and your baby. We offer a comprehensive range of services from preconception to post-delivery. Your personalized care plan may include the following.

Preconception care

Even before getting pregnant, some conditions can raise the likelihood of a high-risk pregnancy. We offer services to women who are considering becoming pregnant to help reduce and manage their risk.


  • Preconception consultation — Our MFM specialists consult with women prior to conception to discuss concerns and offer recommendations.
  • Management and prevention of preterm birth — If you have had a preterm birth in the past, we offer specialized planning to help you carry your next child to full term. Also called a premature baby or preemie, a preterm birth is when the baby is born more than three weeks early. 
  • Recurrent pregnancy loss — We understand that having multiple miscarriages can be discouraging, and we offer compassionate care to help you have a successful pregnancy. 

Screening and diagnostic testing

Maternal-fetal medicine specialists may order a range of prenatal screening tests and diagnostic exams. The type of maternal fetal testing performed depends on several factors, including the mother’s age, health history, genetic profile and risk factors. 


  • Genetic counseling/carrier screening — Blood, saliva or tissue from the inside of your cheek is tested to see if you carry the genes for certain disorders, including cystic fibrosis, fragile X syndrome, sickle cell disease and Tay–Sachs disease. Carrier screening can reveal your risk of having a child with a genetic disorder. 
  • Nuchal translucency screening — This special ultrasound helps assess the risk of Down syndrome. It measures the size of the fluid-filled space in the tissue at the back of a baby’s neck, known as the nuchal translucency. 
  • Detailed fetal imaging/ultrasound — Ultrasound exams use sound waves to create images of the embryo or fetus on a monitor. The tests help evaluate a baby’s physical development, screen for major abnormalities and estimate how far along your pregnancy is. There are several types of obstetric ultrasound exams:
  • 2D ultrasound produces flat two-dimensional images and is the standard type of fetal ultrasound
  • 3D ultrasound creates three-dimensional images and may be used to detect certain birth defects that are not visible in 2D
  • 4D ultrasound creates a live video effect and is rarely used for clinical evaluations  
  • Amniocentesis — Using a needle carefully inserted into the abdomen, the physician removes a sample of the fluid around the fetus (called amniotic fluid) to be tested for chromosome abnormalities and other conditions.
  • Chorionic villus sampling (CVS) — Using a needle carefully inserted into the abdomen or a catheter inserted through the cervix, a sample of tissue is removed from the placenta and tested for abnormalities.
  • Combined first trimester nuchal translucency screening — This test combines the results of a blood test and special ultrasound (called nuchal translucency screening) to help determine a baby’s risk of having Down syndrome or other chromosome abnormality . 
  • Fetal echocardiogram — If your baby has an increased risk of congenital heart disease, you may have a fetal echocardiogram to evaluate the baby’s heart. This test is performed using abdominal ultrasound (over the belly) or transvaginal ultrasound (through the vagina).  
  • Cordocentesis — Also known as percutaneous umbilical blood sampling, cordocentesis removes a sample of the fetus’s blood from the umbilical cord and tests it for blood disorders, chromosome disorders or infections. 
  • Fetal blood sampling — This test removes a sample of the fetus’s blood from the umbilical cord or from a blood vessel in the liver or heart. The test looks for blood disorders, chromosome disorders or infections. 

Antepartum testing 

Antepartum refers to the period before you give birth, usually beginning around the 26th week of pregnancy. During this time, your perinatologist may recommend the following fetal assessments.


  • Biophysical profile (BPP) — The BPP evaluates your baby’s health during pregnancy to determine how well your baby is developing. It measures heart rate, muscle tone, movement, breathing and the amount of amniotic fluid around your baby. 
  • Fetal nonstress test (NST) — This common test evaluates the baby’s heart beat through a monitor placed on your belly.
  • Doppler studies — Fetal Doppler ultrasound tests are performed to assess blood flow to the uterus or blood flow in the fetus. 

Treatment and procedures

Scripps perinatology specialists are experts in managing a full range of pregnancy complications. Our goal is to reduce the risk of complications with high-risk pregnancies. Depending on your specific needs, your treatment plan may include:


  • Cervical insufficiency management and cerclage — Weak cervical tissue may cause the cervix to soften or dilate too early in pregnancy, raising the risk for miscarriage or premature birth. Treatment may include more frequent ultrasounds to monitor the condition, progesterone injections or a procedure to close the cervix until it is time to deliver your baby. This procedure is known as cerclage or cervical stitch.
  • Gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, eclampsia and HELLP management
  • Gestational hypertension is high blood pressure that develops during pregnancy.
  • Preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication characterized by high blood pressure and signs of damage to other organ systems, most often the liver and kidneys. It usually begins after 20 weeks of pregnancy in women whose blood pressure had been normal.
  • Eclampsia is preeclampsia with seizures. It can occur if preeclampsia isn’t controlled. This is a serious condition and may lead to immediate delivery.
  • HELLP syndrome is a more severe type of preeclampsia. It’s an acronym that stands for hemolysis (red blood cell destruction), elevated liver enzymes and low platelet count. Delivery is the recommended treatment.
  • Placenta disorders management — The placenta attaches to the wall of the uterus during pregnancy and provides oxygen and nutrition as the baby grows. Typically, the placenta detaches at childbirth and is delivered after the baby. If there are problems with the placenta, the following conditions may develop:
  • Placenta previa is when the placenta covers all or part of the cervix, which is the opening of the birth canal. If it occurs late in pregnancy, the baby may need to be delivered by cesarean section (c-section). Some women may also have vasa previa, which is when the fetus’s umbilical cord blood vessels grow across the cervix.
  • Placenta accrete spectrum is when the placenta grows too deeply into the uterine wall. This can cause serious bleeding after delivery because the placenta does not detach properly. Depending on how deeply it's grown, it is sometimes called placenta increta or placenta percreta. When diagnosed during a pregnancy, a team of specialists needs to manage the labor and delivery process, and a hysterectomy may be recommended.
  • Vasa previa is when the fetal blood vessels are crossing over or are close to the opening of the cervix 
  • Premature rupture of membranes (PROM) management — Premature rupture of membranes is when a woman’s water breaks too early, before labor has started. Depending on how far along the pregnancy is, treatment may include careful monitoring, medication to treat infection or help the baby’s lungs develop, or early delivery.
  • Preterm labor management and prevention — Preterm labor is when the body goes into labor between week 20 and week 37 of pregnancy. Treatment may include taking steps to stop the labor, including bed rest and medication, and could lead to hospitalization.
  • Management of fetal complications — Perinatologists monitor and manage complications that may put the health and safety of the fetus at risk, including: 
  • Alloimmunization (antibodies that attack fetal red blood cells)
  • Fetal growth restriction 
  • Infections
  • Multiple gestations (for example, twins or triplets)
  • Nonimmune hydrops (swelling and excessive fluid in the heart, lungs and abdomen)
  • Management of preexisting maternal conditions — Maternal-fetal medicine doctors also work with other specialists to monitor and manage preexisting maternal conditions that may be affected by pregnancy, such as:
  • Blood conditions
  • Bone, cartilage and skin disorders 
  • Brain conditions
  • Cancer
  • Diabetes
  • Digestive and gastrointestinal (GI) disorders
  • Heart disease
  • Infections and autoimmune disorders
  • Kidney problems 
  • Lung problems
  • Obesity
  • Respiratory problems 
  • Thyroid and endocrine disorders

Maternal transport

When women with high-risk pregnancies need care that is not available at their hospital, our Maternal Transport Program helps ensure that they are safely transported to another site that can provide optimal care for mother and baby. Our multidisciplinary approach allows us to care for most women with high-risk pregnancies at Scripps hospitals.

Specialty clinics

Scripps specialty clinics provide specialized care for pregnant women who have diabetes, heart problems and concerns about genetic conditions that may affect their pregnancy.

Diabetes in Pregnancy

  • Gestational diabetes — When a woman develops high blood sugar while she is pregnant, it is called gestational diabetes. It is important to see the right specialist for gestational diabetes to prevent complications during pregnancy and delivery. 
  • Type 1 diabetes — Type 1 diabetes is a lifelong disease in which the pancreas produces little to no insulin. Type 1 diabetes is not affected by lifestyle, and people with this type must take insulin. About 5% of people with diabetes have type 1. 
  • Type 2 diabetes — Type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes. It occurs when the body doesn’t make enough insulin or can’t use its own insulin effectively. This causes glucose to build up in the blood. Type 2 diabetes is often caused by lifestyle factors, such as obesity or diet. 


The nationally recognized Scripps Whittier Diabetes Institute collaborates with the perinatology team to help you manage your blood sugar during pregnancy and help ensure a safe delivery. For more information call 858-956-7719.

Scripps Pregnancy Heart Center

If you or your baby has a heart condition, it is important to have access to expert cardiac care. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of maternal deaths in the United States and California, and most of these women did not have symptoms of heart disease before becoming pregnant. Early diagnosis and treatment of heart disease is important.


Scripps is nationally recognized as a leader in heart care, and our Pregnancy Heart Center is dedicated to delivering comprehensive cardiac care for women and their children before, during and after pregnancy through a multidisciplinary, team-based approach.  


Our perinatologists work closely with cardiology specialists to care for heart conditions in both mother and baby. The cardiologists are experts in both cardiology and integrative/holistic medicine and provide specialized care for pregnant women with heart conditions. The Pregnancy Heart Center also has a fetal cardiologist and MFM-trained sonographer on staff who are board certified in fetal echocardiography.  


To ensure you receive the best care, our perinatology team may work with the following departments to ensure you and your baby receive an optimal outcome and support. Our Maternal Team includes but is not limited to the following:


  • Adult cardiology
  • Adult CT surgery
  • Critical care
  • Obstetrical anesthesia
  • Interventional cardiology
  • Radiology/cardiac imaging
  • Patient navigator
  • Pharmacist
  • Registered dietitian/nutritionist
  • Mental health 


Our Fetal Team includes:


  • Pediatric cardiology
  • Pediatric CT surgery
  • Neonatology
  • Prenatal genetic counseling
  • OB-GYN
  • Registered dietitian/nutritionist
  • Patient navigator
  • Non-profit/community alliances


In addition, our staff is involved in research, education, disease prevention and innovation to achieve the best possible outcomes. Our Neonatal Team collaborates with leading cardiac centers across the state including:


  • Loma Linda University
  • Children’s Hospital Los Angeles
  • UCLA
  • Rady Children’s Hospital 
  • Stanford

Genetic counseling

Genetic counselors have advanced education and training in medical genetics and counseling. They meet with women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant to advise them about genetic disorders that may affect their pregnancy or be passed on to their baby.


  • Education — Counselors can explain genetic disorders and the genetic testing process.
  • Guidance — Counselors can help women decide if they should have genetic testing and guide them through the testing process.
  • Interpretation of test results — After testing, counselors explain the results and what they mean, and advise patients about their options. 
  • Support — Counselors offer compassionate support, advice and resources to families affected by genetic disorders.

Labor and delivery care

Perinatologists collaborate with your care team (for example obstetricians, other specialists and neonatologist) to establish a plan for delivery to help mother and baby have successful, healthy outcomes. 

Virtual Tours

Scripps has three specialized birthing centers at locations throughout San Diego County. Take a virtual tour of our labor and delivery hospitals.

Support and resources

When you’re expecting a new addition to the family, you may have lots of questions. Scripps offers information, education, services and other resources to help you feel confident and supported during your pregnancy and delivery.

Preparing for your hospital stay

Plan ahead for your hospital stay, from deciding what to bring with you to making sure you have other needs such as childcare and pet care covered while you’re in the hospital. Find more information about what to expect.


Classes and support groups

Scripps offers classes, support groups and other resources for women before, during and after pregnancy. If you’re pregnant, planning to have a baby or recently gave birth and need breastfeeding or postpartum support, check out our programs and classes.  


Neonatal intensive care (NICU)

All babies need care after birth, but some require more specialized care. Scripps Health and Rady Children's Hospital offer four levels of specialized care for infants that need it.

FAQs

If I see a perinatologist, will I still see my regular OB too?

Yes. These specialists work closely with each other, and most women who see a perinatologist will continue to see their obstetrician. In certain cases, your care may be transferred to the perinatologist entirely, but this is not common.

When will I get test results after seeing a genetic counselor?

If your genetic counselor recommends testing and you decide to have it, your results will generally be available within one to three weeks after the test date.

Do you do 3D or 4D pictures?

The most appropriate type of ultrasound for you will depend on your specific concerns. You are welcome to ask the sonographer any imaging questions you may have.

What are your hours?

The Scripps perinatology department is open from 7 am to 5 pm. Patients are scheduled from 7 am to 3:30 pm.

Locations

Perinatology services are located within Scripps hospitals.


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