Maternal Fetal Medicine

At ANMC, we offer a wide range of programs and services to assist expecting mothers. From childbirth education to genetic counseling, we are here to support families during this special time.

ANMC provides OB/GYN services for Alaska Native women throughout Alaska, and is the primary referral center for high-risk pregnancies. Over 1,600 babies are delivered annually at ANMC, and we have a Level II NICU available for babies who have complications after delivery.

Our health care team of physicians, midwives, registered nurses, and specialists care for you and your baby around the clock to ensure you are receiving the best possible care.

High Risk OB (Maternal Fetal Medicine Clinic)

Once in a while, a pregnancy may take an unplanned turn and require more than routine prenatal care. ANMC has the resources to manage the most complicated pregnancies. Whether you're expecting more than one baby, experiencing premature labor or need care for gestational diabetes or any other maternal condition, we're prepared. We provide a wide range of services from high-resolution ultrasound to genetic counseling.

Our experienced physicians provide consultative services to referring health care providers who care for pregnant women to coordinate the care of high-risk pregnancies. We also provide full care during the remainder of pregnancies for high-risk patients throughout the state who are transferred to ANMC to deliver.

Your health care provider may consider your pregnancy high-risk and refer you to the Maternal Fetal Medicine Clinic for many different reasons.

• You are over 35 and are pregnant or contemplating pregnancy
• You have developed complications during your pregnancy
• You have a medical condition that will create an additional stress on the pregnancy
• You have a history of past pregnancy problems
• You may be pregnant with multiple babies
• Your baby may have a medical problem

We offer prenatal testing to detect potential health issues for your baby. Your test results can reassure you that your baby is healthy, help you prepare for a baby with special needs, or alert you if a serious problem is detected.
Types of Tests Available

During your pregnancy, a prenatal screening test and/or a diagnostic test is performed. Screening tests determine the risks for certain fetal conditions. Diagnostic tests are used to confirm or diagnose the specific presence of certain fetal conditions.

Prenatal Screening

A prenatal screening test shows the risk for certain fetal conditions in pregnancy, but cannot actually diagnose them. The conditions screened include down syndrome, trisomy 18, and Spina bifida. Information from screening tests is used to determine whether a diagnostic test, such as amniocentesis is recommended.

We offer numerous prenatal screening tests at ANMC. Each screening test requires a blood draw. Some also use a nuchal translucency (NT) ultrasound to measure the fluid at the back of the baby's neck.

Diagnostic Tests

A prenatal diagnostic test is used to diagnose certain birth problems that can occur during pregnancy. Diagnostic tests are offered to women who have a positive prenatal screening test, are over 35 years of age, have had a previous pregnancy child with a birth defect, or a family history of a genetic condition.