Trident Health System
November 08, 2016

Summerville, SC - Charleston area mothers with potential for high-risk pregnancy can now receive advanced prenatal care close to home with the opening of Summerville Maternal Fetal Medicine. The five-day-a-week clinic is a new service of Summerville Medical Center.

“We will be able to take care of mothers with conditions like hypertension and diabetes, mothers pregnant with multiple babies and women giving birth at a later age,” explained Deona Bien, Director of Women’s and Children’s services for Trident Health. “Access to care is critical. Prior to our opening women had to drive more than 20 miles to receive the high level services and care they need to have a healthy pregnancy. Now, it’s conveniently located close to home.” The clinic is currently seeing patients from as far away as Orangeburg and Beaufort.

According to the National Institute of Health as many as ten percent of pregnancies are considered high risk, but with expert care ninety-five percent of these special cases result in the birth of healthy babies.

The clinic accommodates mothers deemed high-risk through their obstetrician. Conditions that contribute to a high-risk pregnancy include: hypertension, diabetes, pregnant with multiples, genetic history, and age. Summerville Maternal Fetal Medicine offers advanced ultrasound services, genetic testing, and serial testing for mothers who need specialized care throughout their pregnancy. A new service, fetal MRI, is also available through Summerville Medical Center.

Dr. Christopher Robinson is Medical Director of the clinic. “Dr. Robinson is an excellent addition to our women’s health program,” said Lisa Valentine, Chief Executive Officer at Summerville Medical Center. “Local obstetricians need a place they can send mothers who may experience a high-risk pregnancy. We are proud to be an extension of their practice.” Drs. Allison Dillon and Richard Adams also provide care at Summerville Maternal Fetal Medicine.

As an extension of the program, fetal MRIs are also available for mothers. “Fetal MRI services will allow parents and physicians to receive a much more detailed image of their baby. We are thrilled our Maternal Fetal Medicine and Radiology physicians are collaborating to offer this advanced service to local mothers,” says Valentine. Summerville Medical Center is the only facility outside of downtown offering fetal MRI.

Trident Health, which includes Summerville Medical Center, Trident Medical Center, Centre Pointe Emergency, and Moncks Corner Medical Center - has a robust Women’s and Children’s program. Last year, nearly 3,000 babies were born at Trident Health hospitals.

The Maternal Fetal Medicine program opened shortly before the announcement of a $53 million expansion and consolidation of Women’s and Children’s Services to the Summerville campus. The Women’s Pavilion is expected to open in early 2019.

For more information about Summerville Maternal Fetal Medicine, call (843) 970-5721.