Maternal-Fetal Medicine & High-Risk Pregnancy

We offer around-the-clock maternal-fetal care, with an unwavering focus on safety and clinical excellence. Using the latest diagnostic technologies and the most advanced medical and surgical treatments available, we provide individualized management for women with complex medical conditions and fetal or pregnancy-related risk factors—ensuring seamless coordination and easy access to care.

Our team has unparalleled expertise in managing multiple gestations and a wide range of high-risk maternal and fetal conditions that can affect pregnancy, including heart disease, chronic hypertension, preeclampsia, diabetes, cancer, autoimmune disorders, fetal growth concerns, post-term pregnancies, advanced maternal age and other factors requiring close surveillance.

By tailoring management strategies to support maternal and fetal health throughout pregnancy and delivery, we help achieve the best possible outcomes for both mother and baby. From preconception counseling and prenatal testing through postpartum support, we are committed to delivering the highest-quality care to ensure the safest possible pregnancies and deliveries, optimize maternal and neonatal outcomes and enhance the long-term health and well-being of every mother and child we serve.

As part of the Safe Motherhood Initiative—a hospital-based obstetric quality improvement program sponsored by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the New York State Department of Health—we have contributed to the development and implementation of standardized protocols to better manage obstetric emergencies and reduce maternal mortality and morbidity through early risk identification and targeted interventions. We also collaborate closely with numerous state-of-the-art programs across Montefiore Einstein dedicated to preventing and managing pregnancy-related complications, including our Women’s Blood Disorders Program—one of the few of its kind nationwide—and our Maternal-Fetal Medicine–Cardiology Joint Program, which is at the forefront of cardio-obstetric care, advancing the management of complex pregnancies involving cardiovascular conditions.

We offer access to the latest diagnostic technologies, advanced monitoring and innovative treatments to deliver the highest-quality maternal and fetal care.

Our Program provides comprehensive fetal monitoring and diagnostic evaluations—including biophysical profiles, nonstress tests and Doppler ultrasound studies—to assess fetal well-being, identify potential fetal health risks and guide the development of individualized care plans. We use state-of-the-art imaging technologies such as 3D and 4D obstetrical ultrasound, targeted fetal echocardiography and fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Our advanced noninvasive prenatal testing includes carrier screening before and during pregnancy, early risk assessment, quadruple and penta screening and cell-free DNA analysis—commonly referred to as noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT)—for early detection of common fetal aneuploidies using next-generation sequencing (NGS). We also specialize in minimally invasive prenatal diagnostic procedures, including chorionic villus sampling, amniocentesis and cordocentesis supported by chromosomal microarray analysis and diagnostic NGS. We additionally offer first-trimester combined screening, uterine artery Doppler assessments for early detection of preeclampsia risk, detailed fetal neurosonography, genetic counseling services integrated with prenatal diagnostics and preventative therapies for preterm birth, including progesterone supplementation and cervical cerclage when indicated.

We also offer access to emerging therapies and innovative management strategies, including specialized care for placenta accreta spectrum disorders; advanced maternal critical care, such as extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support and complex cardiac monitoring; remote maternal monitoring; novel pharmacologic therapies for preterm labor prevention; tailored anticoagulation for thrombophilia and antiphospholipid syndrome, and maternal immunizations.

When prenatal testing reveals fetal health risks, our multidisciplinary team of experts conducts a prompt and comprehensive assessment to address any associated complications. We have extensive expertise in diagnosing and managing complex conditions such as fetal growth restriction, congenital heart defects, neural tube anomalies, infections during pregnancy, multiple gestations and fetal urinary tract abnormalities. Our specialized care is designed to optimize fetal health and support maternal well-being throughout even the most challenging pregnancies. For women requiring intensive care during pregnancy or delivery, our maternal-fetal medicine specialists and obstetric critical care specialists provide sensitive, coordinated treatment and are highly skilled in managing premature and complex deliveries, ensuring that the needs of both mother and newborn are met with the highest standard of care.

Our multidisciplinary team of fetal medicine experts performs the most complex maternal-fetal procedures and prenatal surgeries for the management of congenital anomalies and life-threatening fetal conditions. Montefiore Einstein is one of the few hospitals nationwide offering advanced in utero fetal surgeries for high-risk, rare and life-threatening conditions to improve long-term neonatal outcomes. Our expertise includes minimally invasive fetoscopic laser ablation for twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS); radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for twin reversed arterial perfusion (TRAP) sequence; ex utero intrapartum treatment (EXIT) procedures; selective fetal reductions; fetal blood transfusions, and the in utero placement of vesico-amniotic and thoracoamniotic shunts.

We are leading collaborative research initiatives and spearheading numerous studies and clinical trials, including several funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Through our clinical trials, patients have access to emerging technologies and innovative treatments that may otherwise be unavailable to the general public.

Our researchers actively conduct basic, translational and clinical research to advance maternal-fetal medicine and improve health outcomes for women and their newborn babies. Major areas of focus include fetal genetics and developmental biology, genetic screening for prenatal diagnosis, novel treatments for high-risk pregnancies, maternal health outcomes, perinatal and reproductive medicine, genomic medicine, stem cell biology, mother–child health and maternal mental health.

We are also developing and evaluating new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies, including noninvasive fetal monitoring technologies, novel interventions to reduce or prevent preterm birth and virtual reality-enhanced haptic simulation technologies to improve obstetric delivery techniques.

In collaboration with our Department of Genetics, our basic science programs are advancing cellular and molecular research—from investigating the mechanisms responsible for birth defects in 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11.2DS) to leading the nation’s largest pilot newborn screening study of its kind (ScreenPlus).

Our physicians also discovered and patented the use of N,N-Dimethylformamide (DMA)—a common, inexpensive and widely available compound—as a potential intervention to reduce or prevent preterm birth. The various delivery methods for this groundbreaking therapy are currently being evaluated through a four-year grant from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS).

Whether you are planning for pregnancy, seeking specialized care during pregnancy or navigating postpartum recovery, our world-renowned team at Montefiore Einstein Maternal-Fetal Medicine is here to provide exceptional support, care and resources tailored to your needs.

Our full-service Center offers a comprehensive range of traditional and holistic care before, during and after pregnancy—spanning preconception counseling, screening and prenatal testing through treatment and postpartum recovery. We offer integrated services including social and support programs, genetic counseling and education, care navigation, mental health and wellness support and personalized programs designed to meet each individual’s unique needs.

We are a doula-friendly hospital, offering doula services to support individuals through labor, delivery and postpartum care—helping to ensure the best possible birth outcomes and patient experience. Our Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program supports the health of low-income women, infants and children up to age 5 who are at nutritional risk by providing free nutritious foods, breastfeeding support, nutrition education and referrals to healthcare and social services.

Our breadth of resources enables us to deliver highly specialized, coordinated care for both mother and baby—advancing fetal health, supporting maternal well-being, optimizing outcomes and ensuring a healthy pregnancy and the safest delivery possible. Our compassionate and deeply knowledgeable team of physicians, nurses, specialists and support staff is dedicated to guiding you at every step of your reproductive care journey.

Our Program is recognized for its collaborative approach and comprehensive clinical care, which extends beyond the walls of Montefiore Einstein into the community through outreach programs aimed at reducing obstetric risks among vulnerable populations. Specific initiatives include community education on prenatal care and high-risk pregnancy management, collaboration with local hospitals to improve continuity of care for high-risk mothers and participation in policy-making efforts regarding maternal health issues. We continue to expand healthcare access to improve maternal and infant health, preserving continuity of care and reducing disparities for women, children and families.

We work collaboratively with a network of community-based organizations to achieve improved birth outcomes, reduce infant and maternal morbidity and mortality and strengthen healthcare infrastructure in our community. Through the Community Health Worker Institute (CHWI) at Montefiore Einstein, we continue to optimize the integration of community health workers into our clinical care teams to strengthen resources, enhance care coordination and access and improve health outcomes.

One of the unique programs we have spearheaded is called the Bronx Healthy Start Program (BxHSP)—a federally-funded program of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Maternal and Child Health Bureau that helps pregnant women get the healthcare and support they need during pregnancy and after their baby is born. Mothers and their families are connected to free, voluntary and confidential services including screening and referral for medical services, voluntary home visitation and other resources.