A pregnancy may be considered high-risk when pre-existing or newly developed medical conditions affect your health, your baby's health or both.   

These conditions include:  

• Diabetes 
• Expecting twins, triplets or more 
• Heart problems 
• High blood pressure 
• History of miscarriage 
• Symptoms of premature labor  

At UCI Health, you receive personalized maternity care supported by advanced specialists and technology — so you and your baby have access to expert care at every stage. 

Our approach to high-risk pregnancy care

Early diagnosis and specialized monitoring are essential when managing complex pregnancies.   

At UCI Health, our maternal-fetal medicine specialists evaluate your medical history, pregnancy progress and test results to develop a care plan for you and your baby.   

Our goals include:  

• Preventing premature labor whenever possible 
• Managing medical complications during pregnancy 
• Supporting safe delivery for mother and baby   

Pre-pregnancy planning  

If you have chronic medical conditions or a history of pregnancy complications, our specialists can help you plan your pregnancy before conception.  Adjusting medications and treatment plans before pregnancy can help protect the developing fetus.   

Cardio-obstetric program  

Our multidisciplinary cardio-obstetric team provides comprehensive care if you’re pregnant and have cardiovascular disease. These specialties include:  

• Maternal-fetal medicine specialists 
• Cardiologists 
• Anesthesiologists 
• Neonatologists 
• Nurses  

Genetic counseling and screening  

Genetic counselors help you and your family understand the risks of inherited or chromosomal conditions.   

At the UCI Health Center for Fetal Evaluation, we provide screening and diagnostic tests that include:  

• Amniocentesis  
• Chorionic villus sampling 
• First-trimester screening  
• Multiple marker screening  
• Nuchal fold scan  

These tests provide valuable information about fetal development and potential genetic conditions to help you decide what’s right for you.  

Advanced fetal testing  

Specialized imaging and diagnostic testing allow your care team to monitor fetal growth and development closely.   

Tests may include:   

• Detailed ultrasound imaging 
• Fetal blood flow monitoring 
• Screening for premature labor   

These tools help clinicians detect complications early and respond quickly.   

Fetal therapy  

In certain cases, clinicians can treat fetal conditions before birth.   

Treatments may include:  

• Medications to accelerate lung development 
• Fetal blood sampling or transfusion 

Specialized procedures to correct congenital conditions  

These treatments may improve outcomes for babies with complex medical conditions.

Maternal-fetal transport

If complications arise during pregnancy, UCI Health offers transfers to our facilities for advanced maternal and neonatal care.   

We safely transport mothers and babies who require specialized care. Our transport teams manage complex medical conditions during transfer, helping ensure continuity of care to UCI Health.   

This service allows you to access advanced maternal-fetal specialists and a Level III NICU, even if complications develop at another hospital. 

Why choose UCI Health for high-risk pregnancy care?

Specialists in maternal-fetal medicine 

Our maternal-fetal medicine specialists focus on managing medically complex pregnancies and monitoring fetal health.   

This focused expertise helps identify complications early and guide treatment decisions that support the health of both you and your baby.   

Multidisciplinary care for mother and baby 

Through the Fetal Care Center of Southern California, a partnership between UCI Health and Rady Children's Health, clinicians from multiple specialties work together to evaluate complex fetal conditions.   

This coordinated approach allows your care team to create a comprehensive treatment plan tailored to your pregnancy.   

Level III neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) 

If your baby requires specialized care after delivery, neonatologists in our Level III NICU are immediately available.   

Having advanced neonatal care in the same place helps ensure a smooth transition to specialized newborn care.   

Seamless transfer to advanced care 

If complications develop at another hospital, maternal-fetal transport services help safely transfer you and your baby to UCI Health. This ensures you have access to specialized care without delay. 

This combination of specialized expertise, advanced technology and coordinated care helps support the safest possible outcomes for both you and your baby.