High Risk Maternal Referral Program

The mission of the maternal referral program is to provide the most advanced inpatient care to high-risk pregnant mothers in a 19-county region of Central Texas. The maternal referral program is staffed by two practices, Women Partners in Health at Seton Medical Center Austin and the UTMB OB/GYN program at University Medical Center Brackenridge, as well as Maternal-Fetal Medicine specialists at each facility.  These physicians have extensive experience in the management of high-risk obstetrical complications such as premature rupture of the membranes, premature labor and preeclampsia.

Inpatient care for high-risk patients is provided at one of two facilities within our network.  Both Seton Medical Center Austin and University Medical Center Brackenridge have immediate access to Level Three neonatal intensive care units staffed by neonatologists who specialize in the care of babies born prematurely or with complex medical problems (often identified postpartum). There is ample support staff, including nurses, educators, nutritionists, case managers, pastoral care and social workers who are specially trained to assist in caring for complicated pregnancies in a compassionate and caring environment.

The maternal referral program provides a valuable resource to referring obstetricians, particularly for those who practice in smaller community-based hospitals with few resources to handle complex perinatal complications which can substantially affect both mothers and babies.  In utero transport of babies at risk for premature delivery to tertiary care facilities has been shown to significantly improve the overall perinatal outcomes for deliveries.

The Seton Family of Hospitals’ Level3 NICUs are located at University Medical Center Brackenridge, Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas (DCMCCT) and Seton Medical Center Austin. Opened in 2007, DCMCCT is a state-of-the art hospital dedicated solely to the care of children. We also have Level 2 NICUs located at Seton Medical Center Williamson and Seton Northwest Hospital for babies whose condition is determined to be less critical.