ROC's Experienced Team
Perinatologists: A maternal-fetal specialist/perinatologist is an obstetrician who has completed two or three years of additional training in Maternal-Fetal Medicine. Perinatologists are board-certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology as well as Perinatology and have expertise in dealing with all aspects of high-risk pregnancies. Our perinatologists are usually consulted to evaluate pregnant women with high-risk conditions or women who need specialized testing in their pregnancy. Perinatologists routinely perform detailed ultrasound examinations and prenatal diagnosis such as CVS, amniocentesis, and fetal blood sampling.
Sonographers: Our sonographers are certified by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography and have specialized expertise in high-risk obstetrics. They perform ultrasound examinations in collaboration with our perinatologists. ROC is accredited by the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine and has received certification through the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine to perform nuchal translucency measurements. This measurement is used for first trimester screening for Down syndrome and Trisomy 18.
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Genetic counselors: Genetic counselors are board-certified in genetic counseling. Genetic counseling is an important part of the decision-making process for prenatal testing. Our genetic counselors evaluate the medical and family histories of patients to find out if there is an increased chance of birth defects or other problems. The counselors explain testing options, benefits and risks of testing and reasons why patients choose or decline to have testing. The genetic counselors provide follow-up for patients to discuss their individual test results. Click for more information
Diabetic educators: Diabetic educators are certified by the National Certification Board for Diabetes Educators. They help patients deal with the challenge of diabetes before and during pregnancy and provide ongoing support. Click for more information
Registered nurses and clinical support staff: Our specialty nurses have advanced training and may enroll patients in a variety of optional research projects. The clinical staff evaluate patients, assist with fetal assessments and perform laboratory testing.
Office staff: Our experienced staff interact with patients, schedule appointments, handle correspondence with patients and their referring physicians and facilitate insurance reimbursement. Our billing department staff strive to minimize the stress of financial burden for our patients.
Regional Perinatal Coordinator: Our perinatal coordinator is a member of the Women's and Infant's Service of Erlanger Medical Center that is associated with ROC. She works with the referring obstetricians and coordinates the multiple needs of couples carrying babies with special needs.
Prenatal Services
ROC offers a variety of technical services including ultrasound examinations, fetal monitoring, amniocentesis, chorionic villus sampling (CVS), fetal blood sampling and first and second trimester screening.
Our state-of-the-art ultrasound equipment and experienced staff allow more detailed ultrasound experiences. Click for more information on Ultrasound
CVS and amniocentesis enable the unborn baby's chromosomes to be studied to detect Down syndrome or other chromosomal abnormalities. Other genetic testing can be performed by CVS or amniocentesis as indicated. CVS is performed between 10 and 12 weeks gestation. Amniocentesis is typically performed between 15 and 18 weeks gestation.
First trimester screening is performed between 11 and 13 weeks gestation. This screening involves a specialized ultrasound (nuchal translucency measurement) and a blood test. The screen is used to detect an increased risk for Down syndrome, Trisomy 13 and Trisomy 18. Click for more information on First Trimester Screening
Second trimester screening is typically performed between 15 and 18 weeks of gestation. This screening also is used to detect an increased risk for Down syndrome and Trisomy 18. However, the detection rate is not as high as with first trimester screening. Second trimester screening can also detect an increased risk for open spine defects such as spina bifida.
Non-invasive fetal monitoring is performed as part of a comprehensive biophysical profile assessment. Fetal monitoring is indicated in the third trimester to assess fetal well-being in women with high-risk factors.