DHR Health

Pregnancy and the journey toward motherhood can be one of the most exciting and beautiful times during a woman's life. But when faced with a pregnancy complication or potential birth defects, a woman may be confused and unsure of where to turn for answers. Maternal-Fetal Medicine (MFM) physicians specialize in treating high- risk pregnancies. They are obstetrician/g ynecologists who received additional education and clinical experience to develop specialized skills to provide medical treatment and complex procedures for moms and babies. While some women need only a single consultation before or during pregnancy to help them prepare for deliver y, others may require ongoing MFM specialist care, such as monitoring their condition through regular prenatal visits, performing fetal assessments with ultrasound and/or invasive procedures, and assistance during the deliver y. The Doctors Hospital at Renaissance (DHR) Center for Maternal Fetal Medicine is home to the only three full-time MFM physicians currently practicing in the Rio Grande Valley: Dr. Cherie Johnson, Dr. Kedak Baltajian, and Dr. Cristela Hernandez. The goal of the Center is to provide top-tier obstetrical medical care to women in the Rio Grande Valley, preventing the need for mom and baby to leave the area to receive specialized medical ser vices. At the Center, a highly specialized team of physicians, family nurse practitioners, and ultrasound technologists care for the mother and her baby, usually working together with the patient's obstetrician. FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE DHR CENTER FOR MATERNAL FETAL MEDICINE, CALL (956) 362-2470 OR VISIT WWW.DHRMFM.COM. Physicians at the center also collaborate with a full spectrum of pediatric specialists to develop the most appropriate plan of care on an individualized patient basis, developing a treatment plan to provide care through the pregnancy, during birth, and beyond. Physicians and staff are specially trained in diagnostic ultrasound, which plays an important role in screening for fetal chromosome abnormalities and birth defects. To combat gestational diabetes and the negative effects it can have on mom and baby — high birth weight, low blood sugar and minerals at birth, jaundice, preterm birth, or breathing problems — the Center works with the Har vard Medical School Joslin Diabetes Center Affiliate at DHR to provide counseling and care for mothers, developing and coordinating treatment plans before and af ter birth. The Center also provides a wide array of educational and support tools for women, from certified Lamaze ® classes and breastfeeding education, to car seat safety, postpartum depression support, and new child care. Advanced Care for Mothers and Babies in the Rio Grande Valley Dr. Cherie Johnson Medical Director Dr. Kedak Baltajian Dr. Cristela Hernandez 4 | Doctors Hospital at Renaissance Health System

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