Issue link: http://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/675837
In a perfect world, every mother-to-be would be healthy, and every unborn child would arrive on time, ready to take that first breath and loudly announce his or her arrival. As a maternal-fetal medicine specialist, Dr. West helps make that scenario possible for more families, and works tirelessly to assist those whose pregnancies and arrivals are a little less picture perfect. "During medical school, my work with patients led me to gynecology and obstetrics, and I planned to be an OB/GYN, but God had other plans," Dr. West says. "Now, I work with mothers when they or their unborn children have medical concerns before and during birth. The challenge of solving complicated issues and seeing mothers and infants go on to live healthy lives is what makes me excited to go to work every day." WORKING TOGETHER Dr. West joined the team at The Birth Place in January. As a member of The Birth Place at CHRISTUS Highland Medical Center, she works hand-in-hand with obstetricians, nurses who specialize in delivery and neonatal care, neonatologists, anesthesiologists and other specialists to provide comprehensive care to patients with high-risk pregnancies and unborn children with congenital health concerns. "Prenatal care is essential to having good outcomes and keeping mothers and babies healthy, especially if they have health challenges," Dr. West says. "By collaborating with patients' obstetricians, we can work together to identify and manage any unexpected complications." ALL IN A DAY'S WORK Dr. West's practice focuses on helping mothers-to-be and infants facing a variety of health concerns and complications during pregnancy. Those include, but aren't limited to: + congenital anomalies + expecting multiples + health concerns developed during pregnancy, such as preeclampsia + pre-existing conditions, such as diabetes, hypertension, arthritis and Crohn's disease + pregnancy after age 35 + trouble maintaining pregnancies due to pelvic issues Advanced diagnostic methods, such as ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography and amniotic fluid analysis, give Dr. West a clearer picture of what exactly is happening with unborn babies. Using an assortment of medications, lifestyle changes, monitoring and interventions, she helps keep patients well. To learn more about maternal-fetal medicine at CHRISTUS Shreveport-Bossier or to make an appointment with Dr. West, call (318) 681-1675. "I've always been interested in science and helping people who are ill. I guess you could say I was meant to be a doctor. I've been on this path since high school and believe God directed me to what I'm doing and to a field where my investigative nature is best put to use helping families." — Threvia West, M.D., maternal-fetal medicine specialist With the addition of maternal-fetal medicine specialist Threvia West, M.D., CHRISTUSHealth Shreveport-Bossier has expanded our circle of high-level care available to families duringpregnancy. One Patient, Two (or More) Live 3 LiveWell | Spring 2016