Maternal-Fetal Medicine

The Maternal-Fetal Medicine program at Cooper Norcross Health provides expert, high-quality, compassionate care for both high-risk and routine pregnancies.

If your pregnancy is considered high-risk, your maternal-fetal medicine specialist will work closely with your obstetrician to develop a care plan tailored to your personal needs and medical history. In most cases, your obstetrician will continue to manage your pregnancy and deliver, while your maternal-fetal medicine team provides ongoing support and advanced care as needed. 

We also coordinate closely with neonatologists and other pediatric specialists to help ensure the safest delivery and newborn care. If hospitalization is needed during pregnancy, our maternal-fetal medicine specialists provide 24/7 inpatient care and world alongside our Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

The Regional Perinatal Center 

Our Maternal-Fetal Medicine program is one of only two of perinatal centers in South Jersey. Our center provides comprehensive services for mothers and babies from 22 weeks' gestation through the first week of life, when many fetal conditions can emerge and post the highest risk.  

Cooper’s specialists use the latest diagnostic technologies and procedures, including advanced obstetric ultrasound and fetal echocardiography, to diagnose and manage complex pregnancy-related conditions. 

Our inpatient maternal-fetal medicine service provides round-the-clock care for patients experiencing pregnancy complications that require hospitalization. Working with Cooper's Level IV NICU, our multidisciplinary team is prepared to care for the most complex pregnancies and newborns, including providing neonatal resuscitation beginning at 22 weeks' gestation.

When to See a Maternal-Fetal Medicine Specialist 

You may benefit from consultation with a maternal-fetal medicine specialist if you: 

• Have a preexisting health condition such as diabetes, high blood pressure (hypertension), cancer, HIV or other infections, or are over age 35.  
• Are pregnant with multiples (twins, triplets) or have concerns about fetal growth or birth defects.
• Have a history of pregnancy complications such as preterm labor, premature rupture of membranes, placental separation, or placenta previa (placenta covering the cervix).
• Need help confirming your due date or completing a routine anatomy screening. 

What to Expect During a Consultation  

Cooper’s maternal-fetal medicine specialists are available before and during pregnancy so you can better understand of the risks of pregnancy. During a consultation, our maternal-fetal medicine specialist will: 

• Review your personal, pregnancy, and detailed family medical history  
• Discuss any health conditions, risk factors, and any medications used before or during pregnancy
• Recommend appropriate testing or monitoring
• Work closely with your obstetrician and any other specialists involved in your care 

Genetic Counseling Services  

Genetic counseling is available for patients with a personal or family history of inherited conditions, abnormal screening results, medication concerns, pregnancy complications, or anyone seeking additional information about genetic risks during pregnancy.  

Our board-certified genetic counselor is available to:  

• Obtain a detailed personal and family history to assess inherited conditions and pregnancy risks
• Recommend genetic testing tailored to you, your partner, and your family's history
• Explain the available prenatal screening and diagnostic testing options -- including cell-free fetal DNA testing, chorionic villus sampling, and amniocentesis when appropriate -- and help you make informed decisions about your care   
• Provide counseling, together with our maternal-fetal medicine specialists, on the safety of medications used before and during pregnancy  

Advanced Diagnosis Services 

We offer a full range of services to support early and accurate diagnosis of fetal conditions, using techniques: 

• Ultrasound imaging (2D and 3D): High-resolution imaging to evaluate fetal growth, anatomy, and possible birth defects.
• First trimester genetic screening and risk assessment: Including cell-free fetal DNA testing for all pregnancies and individualized genetic risk assessment and detailed first trimester anatomy ultrasounds for high-risk pregnancies
• Down syndrome screening:  Screening is performed by cell-free DNA, which is highly sensitive in detecting trisomy 21, 18, and 13.
• Fetal echocardiography: Detailed heart imaging in collaboration our pediatric cardiology team.
• Genetic testing: Based on medical history, family history, and screening results; diagnostic procedures, including chorionic villus sampling and amniocentesis, are available when appropriate
• Percutaneous umbilical blood sampling (PUBS): Used to diagnose and treat fetal anemia.
• Antepartum fetal testing: Includes non-stress tests, biophysical profiles, and amniotic fluid assessment for babies at higher risk for problems prior to delivery. 

Why Choose Cooper for Maternal-Fetal Care?  

• Extensive experience: Cooper's Maternal-Fetal Medicine program was the first of its kind in South Jersey and is one of the largest and most experienced programs in the region. 
• Highly trained experts: Our maternal-fetal medicine physicians have completed advanced training in high-risk obstetrics and are board certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
• Ultrasound specialists: Cooper’s maternal-fetal medicine doctors are experts in performing ultrasounds on women with high-risk as well as low-risk pregnancies. Cooper is one of only a few sites in South Jersey that is accredited by the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine.
• Accurate detection of birth defects: Maternal-fetal medicine specialists, who focus only on pregnancy, have a higher detection rate of birth defects than most radiologists, who spend much of their time performing other body imaging studies. We pride ourselves on accurate detection of birth defects without overestimating the risks.
• Access to the latest medical advances: Our maternal-fetal medicine physicians all hold faculty positions at Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, so we stay up to date on the latest diagnostic and treatment advances, and on new research on complicated pregnancies.
• Comprehensive care for mothers and babies: Cooper offers seamless care for mothers and babies with the most complex medical needs, from advanced prenatal diagnosis and genetic counseling to 24/7 inpatient maternal-fetal medicine and a Level IV NICU.
• Locations close to you: We have maternal-fetal medicine offices at convenient locations throughout South Jersey. 

Meet the Team