Nov. 1 Open House event showcases new Center for high-risk and routine pregnancy services
RICHMOND HEIGHTS, MO – SSM Maternity Care at St. Mary’s Health Center opened its new Maternal & Fetal Care Center Oct. 17. The outpatient maternity provides high-risk and routine pregnancy services, including fetal evaluation and diagnostic testing, in one location. These services were previously offered separately at SSM St. Mary’s Health Center.
The Maternal & Fetal Care Center, located at 1027 Bellevue Ave. on SSM St. Mary’s Health Center’s campus, offers a full range of obstetric and maternal fetal medicine services, including:
• Amniocentesis
• Genetic testing and counseling
• Chorionic villus sampling (CVS)
• Fetal echocardiography
• Non stress testing
• Complete sonographic services
“A routine visit can quickly turn into a high-risk monitoring situation, so we are excited to have everything combined in one convenient and comfortable location,” said Donna Bernard, Director of the Maternal & Fetal Care Center at SSM St. Mary’s.
The Maternal & Fetal Care Center renovation is part of the $10.2 million expansion and redesign of SSM St. Mary’s Health Center’s Family Birthplace. More than 3,000 babies are born each year at SSM St. Mary’s, of which many benefit from the Health Center’s expertise in high-risk or complicated pregnancies. Earlier this year, 20 new, private Mother-Baby rooms opened featuring a spa-like atmosphere and comfort amenities. Additional Mother-Baby rooms will open in early February 2012.
SSM St. Mary’s Health Center is recognized for its high-risk obstetric care. It is home to the Saint Louis University School of Medicine’s Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women’s Wellness and to Missouri’s only dedicated Maternal Transport team.
A public open house for the Maternal & Fetal Care Center is scheduled from 4 – 6 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 1. Learn more about the event at www.ssmhealth.com/stmarys.
About SSM Maternity Care at St. Mary’s
A service of SSM Health Care – St. Louis, SSM Maternity Care’s medical relationships with Saint Louis University School of Medicine and SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center bring the experience and skills of numerous physician experts, including obstetricians and maternal/fetal medicine and neonatology specialists, plus the best available medical and surgical care for high-risk newborns. Five SSM Maternity Care hospital sites throughout St. Louis and St. Charles counties feature an advanced (Level II) nursery staffed by highly skilled physicians, nurses and specialists that include neonatologists and SSM Cardinal Glennon staff pediatricians. For the most complicated births, Level III newborn nurseries, or NICUs (neonatal intensive care unit), at SSM St. Mary's Health Center and SSM Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center have the equipment and expertise to care for babies born prematurely, before 32 weeks gestation or at very low birth weights. For more information, go to www.ssmhealth.com/maternity.
About SSM St. Mary’s Health Center
Conveniently located in Richmond Heights, Mo., SSM St. Mary's Health Center is a contemporary, 525-bed hospital with distinctive capabilities in high-risk obstetrical services, fetal surgery, state-of-the-art heart surgery, a chest pain center, advanced stroke care, and the latest imaging and outpatient services. Also a teaching hospital, SSM St. Mary’s Health Center is home to an accredited internal medicine residency program and to Saint Louis University School of Medicine’s Obstetrics/Gynecology and Family Practice residency programs. SSM St. Mary's Health Center is winner of the Premier QUEST High Performing Hospital award. It is a member of SSM Health Care – St. Louis, a Missouri Quality Award winner. To learn more, visit www.ssmhealth.com/stmarys.
For media inquires only, contact:
Neil Kiesel
Director of Public Relations
SSM St. Mary’s Health Center
314-768-8807 (office)
314-908-0688 (pager)
Neil_Kiesel@ssmhc.com