Conditions and Specialty Programs
Visit the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine to learn more about some of the high-risk pregnancy conditions that our physicians provide care for.
COMPASS (Collaborative Care Model for Perinatal Depression Support Services)
Depression is common during and after pregnancy. It is a serious illness that can affect you and your baby. It is important to seek professional help. The COMPASS Program is here to support you. We collaborate closely with you and your physician. We offer many treatment options, including medication and talk therapy. The COMPASS care team consists of:
Click here for additional resources and to learn more about the COMPASS Program.
Maternal Diabetes Care
Our team cares for women who are pregnant and have diabetes. We provide comprehensive care for women with type 1 or type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes. We also encourage you to meet with a health nutrition educator at the Health Learning Center. They can teach you about nutrition, meal plans and carbohydrate counting. The maternal diabetes care team includes:
Heart Disease and Pregnancy Program
The Northwestern Medicine Heart Disease and Pregnancy Program at the Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute cares for women with heart disease during pregnancy. The program takes a multidisciplinary approach. Our team includes specialists from cardiology, maternal–fetal medicine, anesthesia, cardiac genetics and other specialties.
Placenta Accreta Center
Placenta accreta occurs when the placenta—the organ that provides nutrients and support to the developing fetus—attaches too deeply into the uterine muscular wall. This is a serious condition. It can cause complications for you and your baby, especially during delivery. Our experienced specialists can manage these complications and risks. Our staff provides a multidisciplinary approach. Multiple specialists, including obstetricians, anesthesiologists, gynecologic oncologists and interventional radiologists, will care for you.
Chicago Institute for Fetal Health
The Chicago Institute for Fetal Health provides comprehensive counseling and pediatric care planning for pregnant women carrying babies with medical problems. The maternal–fetal medicine specialists work in a multidisciplinary approach with their pediatric colleagues. Our goal is to empower families. We can help you understand your baby’s diagnosis, prepare for birth, learn what to expect after birth and provide follow-up care for all babies, regardless of where they are born.
Fetal Anemia
If your baby is at risk for or has signs of anemia, we can help. We have expertise, experience and equipment to perform intrauterine blood transfusions.
Perinatal Palliative Care
The Perinatal Palliative Care Program, housed within The Chicago Institute for Fetal Health, offers support for families expecting newborns with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions.
Reproductive Genetics
The Section of Reproductive Genetics within the Division of Clinical Genetics provides genetic counseling, preconception screening, prenatal screening and prenatal diagnosis for a variety of birth defects and genetic disorders.
COMPASS (Collaborative Care Model for Perinatal Depression Support Services)
Depression is common during and after pregnancy. It is a serious illness that can affect you and your baby. It is important to seek professional help. The COMPASS Program is here to support you. We collaborate closely with you and your physician. We offer many treatment options, including medication and talk therapy. The COMPASS care team consists of:
- Rebekah Jensen, LCSW, program care coordinator
- Jacqueline K. Gollan, PhD, clinical liaison
- LaTasha Nelson, MD, maternal–fetal medicine physician who specializes in perinatal depression
- Dana R. Mahmoud, DO, psychiatrist
- Rachel Ostrov, LCSW, therapist
Click here for additional resources and to learn more about the COMPASS Program.
Maternal Diabetes Care
Our team cares for women who are pregnant and have diabetes. We provide comprehensive care for women with type 1 or type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes. We also encourage you to meet with a health nutrition educator at the Health Learning Center. They can teach you about nutrition, meal plans and carbohydrate counting. The maternal diabetes care team includes:
- Emily D. Szmuilowicz, MD, MS, endocrinologist
- Charlotte Niznik, advanced practice nurse and diabetes educator
- Maternal–fetal medicine physicians
Heart Disease and Pregnancy Program
The Northwestern Medicine Heart Disease and Pregnancy Program at the Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute cares for women with heart disease during pregnancy. The program takes a multidisciplinary approach. Our team includes specialists from cardiology, maternal–fetal medicine, anesthesia, cardiac genetics and other specialties.
Placenta Accreta Center
Placenta accreta occurs when the placenta—the organ that provides nutrients and support to the developing fetus—attaches too deeply into the uterine muscular wall. This is a serious condition. It can cause complications for you and your baby, especially during delivery. Our experienced specialists can manage these complications and risks. Our staff provides a multidisciplinary approach. Multiple specialists, including obstetricians, anesthesiologists, gynecologic oncologists and interventional radiologists, will care for you.
Chicago Institute for Fetal Health
The Chicago Institute for Fetal Health provides comprehensive counseling and pediatric care planning for pregnant women carrying babies with medical problems. The maternal–fetal medicine specialists work in a multidisciplinary approach with their pediatric colleagues. Our goal is to empower families. We can help you understand your baby’s diagnosis, prepare for birth, learn what to expect after birth and provide follow-up care for all babies, regardless of where they are born.
Fetal Anemia
If your baby is at risk for or has signs of anemia, we can help. We have expertise, experience and equipment to perform intrauterine blood transfusions.
Perinatal Palliative Care
The Perinatal Palliative Care Program, housed within The Chicago Institute for Fetal Health, offers support for families expecting newborns with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions.
Reproductive Genetics
The Section of Reproductive Genetics within the Division of Clinical Genetics provides genetic counseling, preconception screening, prenatal screening and prenatal diagnosis for a variety of birth defects and genetic disorders.