University of Alabama at Birmingham maternal-fetal medicine specialists are providing high-risk obstetrical care at DCH Health System in Tuscaloosa in a partnership that began in February.

"Many women in West Alabama with complicated pregnancies have to travel to Birmingham to meet with a maternal-fetal medicine physician," said Brian Brocato, DO, assistant professor in the UAB Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine. "This partnership brings state-of-the-art ultrasound and maternal-fetal care to their community."

Maternal-fetal medicine specialists from the UAB Marnix E. Heersink School of Medicine focus on the diagnosis, treatment and ongoing care of women who have a high risk of complications during pregnancy. Brocato and the UAB team will see patients at DCH on a weekly basis. They will provide specialized care for patients with pregnancy concerns including advanced age, diabetes, complicated pregnancy history, hypertension, multiple fetuses and preterm birth.

UAB's Maternal-Fetal Medicine program is one of only 14 centers in the country and the only Alabama program to participate in the Maternal-Fetal Medicine Units Network. All UAB high-risk care physicians hold board certifications in both obstetrics and gynecology and maternal-fetal medicine. Members of the division are actively involved in ongoing clinical trials and studies on topics such as hypertension in pregnancy, diabetes, preterm birth and labor management.