Mobile Infirmary, UAB Open Maternal-Fetal Telemedicine Clinic for High-Risk Pregnancies

MOBILE, Ala. — Expectant mothers with high-risk pregnancies in south Alabama now have a closer path to specialized care. Mobile Infirmary has cut the ribbon on a new maternal-fetal telemedicine clinic, created through a partnership with UAB Medicine, that lets patients consult with UAB maternal-fetal medicine specialists without leaving Mobile.

The clinic is designed for women whose pregnancies carry added medical risks. Patients can continue to see their local OB-GYNs while also connecting with UAB specialists by telemedicine, and the clinic gives them access to advanced ultrasound technology used to monitor complex pregnancies.

Bringing specialists closer to home

Mobile Infirmary President Susan Boudreaux called the ribbon cutting a milestone for the hospital.

“This is a very special day. We are celebrating our collaboration with UAB for maternal fetal medicine,” Boudreaux said.

Boudreaux explained that the clinic operates in space the hospital also uses for its internal medicine residency clinic, which is now shared with obstetric patients who need to see maternal-fetal medicine specialists.

For UAB, the Mobile clinic is part of a broader push to reach patients who have historically had to travel long distances for specialized pregnancy care. UAB, based in Birmingham, is roughly a four-hour drive from Mobile.

“We are in the center of the state and we’ve been taking care of people across the state who are driving hours to come and see us and I think in the last few years we’ve really made an effort in outreach and to be able to bring maternal fetal medicine services that are just so hard and so scarce to find back to people in more remote communities,” said Dr. Akila Subramaniam, division director for maternal-fetal medicine at UAB.

What maternal-fetal medicine specialists do

Maternal-fetal medicine specialists, sometimes called perinatologists, are obstetrician-gynecologists who complete additional fellowship training focused on complicated pregnancies. They care for patients whose health conditions, or whose babies’ conditions, call for closer monitoring and specialized management.

Patients are often referred to a maternal-fetal medicine specialist when a pregnancy involves factors such as:

• Pre-existing health conditions, including diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease or kidney disease
• Conditions that develop during pregnancy, such as gestational diabetes or preeclampsia
• Pregnancies with twins, triplets or more
• A history of preterm birth, pregnancy loss or complications in a previous pregnancy
• Concerns about the baby’s growth or development identified on an ultrasound or other screening

In many cases, the specialist works alongside the patient’s regular OB-GYN rather than replacing that doctor. The specialist may recommend additional testing, advise on medications or delivery timing, and help create a care plan, while the local physician continues routine prenatal visits and, often, the delivery itself. The Mobile Infirmary clinic is built around that kind of shared approach.

How telemedicine fits in

Telemedicine allows a patient to be seen in a clinic in Mobile while a specialist in Birmingham joins the visit remotely. For many families, that can eliminate repeated long drives, missed workdays and child care arrangements that come with traveling across the state for appointments.

Imaging plays a large role in high-risk pregnancy care. Detailed ultrasounds help specialists check a baby’s anatomy and growth, measure amniotic fluid and evaluate the placenta. Mobile Infirmary says the new clinic gives patients access to advanced ultrasound technology as part of that care.

Why access matters in Alabama

Maternal-fetal medicine specialists are relatively few in number nationwide, and they tend to practice at large academic medical centers in major cities. That leaves many families in rural and smaller communities without easy access to them, a gap that Subramaniam described as services that are “so hard and so scarce to find.”

Alabama has long faced challenges in maternal and infant health, including areas of the state with limited obstetric services. Outreach efforts such as the UAB partnership are intended to bring specialized expertise into communities so that more patients can get the monitoring and guidance they need earlier in pregnancy.

Preparing for a specialist visit

Patients referred for a maternal-fetal medicine consultation can make the most of the appointment with a little preparation:

• Bring a list of current medications, vitamins and supplements, including doses.
• Have records of previous pregnancies and any complications available, or ask your OB-GYN’s office to share them ahead of time.
• Write down questions in advance, such as what additional tests are recommended, warning signs to watch for and how often follow-up visits will be needed.
• Ask how the specialist and your local OB-GYN will share information and who to call with concerns between visits.
• Consider bringing a partner or support person to help remember the details of the care plan.

What patients should know

The new clinic serves patients with high-risk pregnancies. Expectant mothers who believe they may benefit from a maternal-fetal medicine consultation should talk with their OB-GYN, who can explain whether a referral is appropriate and how to schedule a visit through Mobile Infirmary.

Mobile Infirmary, part of Infirmary Health, is located in midtown Mobile. UAB Medicine is the academic health system of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where its maternal-fetal medicine division is based.