Skilled clinicians, leading-edge technology and TLC make a difference
Not only was Susan having her second baby just 10 months after her first, but she was going into labor more than two months early. Older than most mothers, Susan, a 39-year-old business professional, chose Saint John’s Health Center for her delivery because she knew that she and her baby would receive the technologically advanced care they needed, as well as devoted nurturing by a unique medical staff. “I was a ‘preemie’ born at Saint John’s, and I know how pleased my mother was [with her care],” Susan said. “I have a lot of friends who were either born or delivered at Saint John’s, and we’ve all had a similar positive experience with the doctors and nurses.” Women like Susan who are at risk for pregnancy complications need a medical team that is highly skilled and experienced in maternal-fetal medicine.
With a long-standing commitment to a team approach, Saint John’s provides a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary care environment. Here, women with high risk pregnancies, and babies with complications, can be accurately diagnosed, treated and managed. The Saint John’s Maternal-Fetal Medical Team is comprised of obstetricians, perinatologists, neonatologists, pediatricians, specially trained nurses and expert ultrasound technologists.
“We really pride ourselves on our unique team approach,” said Bo Thordarson, MD, a board-certified obstetrician/gynecologist at Saint John’s. “We are a finely tuned synergistic group that is always ready to meet any challenge that may arise."
"Once a woman has been identified as high-risk, we work closely with her obstetrician to set a course of care that will best manage the pregnancy,” said Larry Platt, MD, Medical Director of the Center for Maternal-Fetal Medicine at Saint John’s and a board-certified perinatologist. (A perinatologist is an obstetrician who has special training in high-risk pregnancies.) “We do detailed prenatal diagnoses and ultrasounds so we can anticipate any problems that may occur,” Dr. Platt explained. “Our experienced nurses give our patients the personal care and attention needed during what are often complex and trying situations.”
“It’s not just that we have highly skilled physicians and the latest technology to support patients through difficult pregnancies, it’s also the culture here,” Dr. Thordarson added. “It’s more like family and less institutional. It really enhances the personal care we give our patients.”