Our Approach to Maternal-Fetal Medicine & High-Risk Pregnancy
Montefiore Einstein Maternal-Fetal Medicine is an internationally recognized leader specializing in the comprehensive, individualized management of high-risk pregnancies and complex maternal and fetal conditions. With one of the largest obstetrics and gynecology teams in the nation, we are at the forefront of advancing maternity care for the most challenging cases—while also serving as a safe and trusted destination for low-risk and routine pregnancies. Our multidisciplinary team of world-renowned experts comprises physicians double board certified in obstetrics and gynecology and maternal-fetal medicine, who oversee management and collaborate closely with neonatologists, obstetric anesthesiologists, obstetric critical care specialists, cardiologists—including those specializing in cardio-obstetrics—midwives, geneticists and other specialists to deliver highly coordinated, patient- and family-centered care. Working in partnership with each patient’s primary obstetrician, our team provides an added layer of specialized support to help ensure the safest and best possible outcomes for both mother and baby—whether a pregnancy is progressing smoothly or requires more advanced care. We are a designated accreta referral center and among the highest-performing hospitals in the nation for maternity care, according to U.S. News & World Report.
Montefiore Einstein has earned elite Regional Perinatal Center (RPC) and Level 4 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) designations from the New York State Department of Health and the American Academy of Pediatrics. We are one of only 17 RPCs in New York State, one of just 127 NICUs nationwide and one of only five Level 4 NICUs in New York City to receive these prestigious recognitions—a reflection of our commitment to delivering the highest level of maternal and neonatal care for women and newborns with the most complex, high-risk conditions. These distinctions are a testament to our leadership in advanced fetal medicine, high-risk pregnancy management and the exceptional care and expertise we provide to all women.
24/7 Specialized Care for Every 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.
Exceptional Care Through Innovation & Multidisciplinary Collaboration
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.
Diagnóstico y tratamientos avanzados
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.
Globally-Recognized Expertise in Managing Complex Fetal Conditions
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.
Investigación y ensayos clínicos
Lideramos iniciativas de investigación colaborativa y encabezamos numerosos estudios y ensayos clínicos, incluidos varios financiados por los Institutos Nacionales de Salud (NIH, por sus siglas en inglés). Gracias a nuestros ensayos clínicos, los pacientes tienen acceso a tecnologías emergentes y tratamientos innovadores que, de otro modo, podrían no estar disponibles para el público en general.
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.
También estamos desarrollando y evaluando nuevas estrategias diagnósticas y terapéuticas, como las tecnologías de monitorización fetal no invasivas, intervenciones novedosas para reducir o prevenir el parto prematuro y tecnologías de simulación háptica mejoradas con realidad virtual para optimizar las técnicas de parto obstétrico.
En colaboración con nuestro Departamento de Genética, nuestros programas de ciencia básica están avanzando en la investigación celular y molecular. Estos programas abarcan desde la investigación de los mecanismos responsables de los defectos congénitos en el síndrome de deleción 22q11.2 (22q11.2DS) hasta la dirección del estudio piloto de cribado neonatal más grande del país en su género (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).
Servicios de orientación y apoyo en la atención médica
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.
Nuestro centro de servicios integrales ofrece una amplia gama de cuidados tradicionales y holísticos antes, durante y después del embarazo, que abarca desde el asesoramiento previo a la concepción, las pruebas de detección y el examen prenatal, hasta el tratamiento y la recuperación posparto. Ofrecemos servicios integrados que incluyen programas sociales y de apoyo, asesoramiento y educación genética, orientación sobre atención médica, apoyo para la salud mental y el bienestar, y programas personalizados diseñados para satisfacer las necesidades únicas de cada persona.
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.
Your Maternal-Fetal Medicine & High-Risk Pregnancy Team
Lilly Y. Liu, MD, MSP
Our multidisciplinary team of world-renowned, double board certified obstetricians and gynecologists includes fellowship-trained experts in maternal-fetal medicine, delivering comprehensive, personalized care to ensure the safest possible pregnancies and deliveries, optimize maternal and neonatal outcomes and support the long-term health and well-being of every mother and child.
Programas e iniciativas comunitarias transformadoras
Nuestro programa es reconocido por su enfoque colaborativo y su atención médica integral, que se extiende más allá de las paredes de Montefiore Einstein a la comunidad a través de programas de divulgación destinados a reducir los riesgos obstétricos entre las poblaciones vulnerables. Entre las iniciativas específicas figuran la educación comunitaria sobre atención prenatal y gestión de embarazos de alto riesgo, la colaboración con hospitales locales para mejorar la atención continuada de madres de alto riesgo y la participación en la elaboración de políticas relacionadas con la salud materna. Seguimos ampliando el acceso a la atención médica para mejorar la salud maternoinfantil, preservar la continuidad asistencial y reducir las disparidades que afectan a mujeres, niños y familias.
Colaboramos con una red de organizaciones comunitarias para mejorar los resultados perinatales, reducir la morbilidad y la mortalidad materna e infantil y fortalecer la infraestructura de atención médica en nuestra comunidad. A través del Instituto de Trabajadores Comunitarios de la Salud (CHWI, por sus siglas en inglés) de Montefiore Einstein, seguimos optimizando la integración de los trabajadores comunitarios de la salud en nuestros equipos clínicos para fortalecer los recursos, mejorar la coordinación de la atención y el acceso, así como los resultados en salud.
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.
