Supporting moms-to-be with high-risk pregnancies close to home

Why did you become a maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) specialist at Nemours Children’s Center for Fetal Care?

From an early age, I wanted to be a doctor. In medical school, I was drawn to maternal-fetal medicine because it allows me to care for women with high-risk, pre-existing medical conditions during their pregnancies. 

After practicing for many years in Pennsylvania, my husband and I moved to Orlando with our four sons to be closer to family. Our boys attend Lake Nona schools and are involved in sports. We feel like part of the community. 

I treat my patients like family. I like that Nemours Children’s makes it easy to get expert specialty care right here in our neighborhood. I take appointments at two locations: Nemours Children’s Hospital in Orlando and Nemours Children’s Health, Oak Street in Kissimmee. 

My field requires a lot of knowledge and skill. But it’s also important to me that patients feel at ease. I’m bilingual and can provide care in either English or Spanish. It’s just one of the many ways I try to be here for every parent-to-be who trusts me with their care. 

What is an MFM? When would an expectant mother be referred to an MFM?

An MFM specializes in evaluating and treating women with high-risk pregnancies. After medical school, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist completes a four-year OB-GYN residency program followed by a three-year MFM fellowship program. 

An MFM does not replace your own OB. Instead, we work together with you and your doctor to develop a plan of care that’s right for you. 

What is a high-risk pregnancy? 

A “high-risk” pregnancy means a woman has one or more risk factors that may increase her chances of having a complicated pregnancy or preterm delivery.

A woman’s pregnancy may be considered high risk if she:

• Has a health condition such as diabetes or high blood pressure
• Is 35 or older by the baby’s due date
• Has had problems with past pregnancies (e.g., miscarriage)
• Is carrying more than one baby
• Has a personal or family history of a genetic condition
• Has a known or suspected fetal abnormality

How does a family plan for the birth of a baby with a birth defect?

One of the most important steps is setting up a plan for your baby’s care. With more than 30 pediatric specialties at our Nemours Children’s location here in Lake Nona, we are able to connect you with any specialists your baby may need. 

We will set up your prenatal consultation at our Nemours Center for Fetal Care. We coordinate consultations with pediatric specialists in cardiology (heart defects), orthopedics (e.g. clubfoot), plastic surgery (e.g. cleft lip/cleft palate) and neurosurgery (e.g. hydrocephalus) to best prepare for postpartum prognosis and management.  Our perinatal management team is ready to help you and your baby.

How do you and your team at the Center for Fetal Care ensure that mother and baby receive the best care possible?

My patients rely on different specialists, so I work hard to establish good relationships with colleagues who will provide the very best of care. 

Our patients receive care that’s personalized to their needs. You will work with a nurse coordinator who helps set up diagnostic testing, ultrasound imaging, diabetes management and genetic counseling. The nurse coordinator will stay with you through the entire process, arranging specialist consultations, providing tours of our facility, and answering your questions. If your baby will be born at an affiliated hospital, your nurse coordinator will take you on a tour of that facility as well. 

If doctors think your baby might be born with health problems, our team of pediatric specialists will evaluate test results and offer recommendations or make referrals if necessary. When a baby is scheduled for delivery at an affiliate hospital, we notify the necessary specialists, so they are available as needed at the delivery. We’re with you every step of the way.

Dr. Claudia Taboada is a board-certified maternal-fetal medicine specialist at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida.

To learn more, visit Nemours.org or call 407.567.3000 for an appointment.

Article Sponsored by Nemours