High-risk maternity care in Houston
If your pregnancy is considered high-risk, we care for you both during and after delivery.
The maternal care facility at The Woman's Hospital of Texas is equipped to treat medical, surgical and obstetrical conditions. Complex pregnancies require an elevated level of care, but our obstetrician-gynecologists (OB/GYNs) are here to help in all situations.
Expert advice, available 24/7
Free health-related information is just a phone call away. Our nurses help you understand your symptoms, treatment options and procedures. They will also help you find a provider or specialist and schedule an appointment.
Free health-related information is just a phone call away. Our nurses help you understand your symptoms, treatment options and procedures. They will also help you find a provider or specialist and schedule an appointment.
Conditions that can lead to a high-risk pregnancy
While some mothers are diagnosed with high-risk pregnancies early, others may develop concerns that require attention further into pregnancy. High-risk pregnancies are those complicated by disease, chronic health issues or other conditions, including:
- Advanced maternal age
- Asthma
- Bleeding disorders
- Diabetes
- Incompetent or weakened cervix
- Multiple babies
- Obesity
- Placenta accreta spectrum (PAS)
- Postsurgical complications
- Pregnancy-induced hypertension
- Premature membrane rupture
- Preterm labor
Specialized support to keep you and your baby healthy
Our high-risk perinatal and antepartum programs provide constant monitoring, allowing your baby time to grow as much as possible in the stable environment of the womb. These programs provide dedicated care for emergency fetal conditions, issues developed in utero, as well as mothers expecting multiples.
Comprehensive care from experienced high-risk OB/GYNs
Our teams of board-certified neonatologists and neonatal nurse practitioners help care for women with existing health conditions, multiple gestation, complications from previous pregnancies and fetal health problems. We help identify and educate you about any risks in your pregnancy, while providing aggressive treatment to delay premature delivery. If you're a mother facing the possibility of potential medical concerns during pregnancy, consult with our maternal-fetal medicine specialists and see how maternal-fetal care treatment works in our hospital.
Multiples care
We are able to provide supportive care to mothers who are expecting twins, triplets or more. Many mothers of multiples require early bed rest and sometimes early admission to the hospital. Our antepartum unit (APU) provides expectant mothers with a home away from home. We can help with issues common to multiple births, such as multiple baby monitoring, pre-term labor, preeclampsia, diabetes and premature rupture of membranes.
Our multiples program fosters a family-centered environment where proven practices in maternal-fetal medicine give women and their babies the specialized care they require. Most antepartum mothers arrive between 30 and 32 weeks, and a three-to-four-week stay is typical. However, some mothers with uncontrolled diabetes or high blood pressure may begin their stay as early as 20 weeks into their pregnancy.
Obstetrical emergency department (OBED)
Our OBED is a specially designed area that provides timely and efficient emergency care for moms-to-be with unscheduled medical needs. Our nursing specialists will work with you and your physician to manage specific conditions, such as surgical emergencies, obstetrical and gynecological issues, as well as the onset of labor. If necessary, the OBED can provide you with direct admission to the hospital’s labor and delivery unit.
PAS treatment
PAS is a serious condition that occurs when the placenta attaches too deeply into the uterine wall and, in some instances, other organs. Without proper care, the placenta may not detach normally after delivery, potentially becoming cause for complications. As a specialized maternal-fetal care facility, we provide treatment for PAS, and encourage you to ask questions so you can be well-informed during PAS treatment.
Perinatal navigator program
The perinatal navigator program was developed to meet the special needs of families that have been identified as high-risk. Here, dedicated nurse navigators will help coordinate specialist appointments and provide support for high-risk conditions. Above all, these navigators are a part of a multidisciplinary team committed to achieving the best possible outcome for you and your baby.
Social work
Home care services, such as postpartum visits and home care for high-risk pregnancies, are available from several providers if your doctor determines them necessary. Our social work team will help you locate the community resources you need for both inpatient and home care.
View our high-risk pregnancy classes
High-risk pregnancies can be daunting, but you are never alone. Our prenatal classes act as helpful resources to strengthen your confidence during a myriad of potential pregnancy issues.
Patient education pregnancy classes
It is important to have as much information as possible about the intricacies of a high-risk pregnancy, so we offer a variety of patient education classes, including our dedicated high-risk specialty class. This class is intended to provide you with the skills and knowledge necessary to achieve your labor and delivery goals as safely as possible, keeping the health of you and your baby top of mind.
Additionally, our center offers a variety of classes taught by certified diabetes educators, nurses and registered dietitians. These classes are specifically designed to meet the needs of women with diabetes before, during and after pregnancy.
It is important to have as much information as possible about the intricacies of a high-risk pregnancy, so we offer a variety of patient education classes, including our dedicated high-risk specialty class. This class is intended to provide you with the skills and knowledge necessary to achieve your labor and delivery goals as safely as possible, keeping the health of you and your baby top of mind.
Additionally, our center offers a variety of classes taught by certified diabetes educators, nurses and registered dietitians. These classes are specifically designed to meet the needs of women with diabetes before, during and after pregnancy.