FROM OUR DOCTORS: (Left to Right) Dr. Luisa Wetta Dr. Debora Kimberlin
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in that population you will see the development of more coexistent issues,” says Dr. Debora Kimberlin, professor in maternal and fetal medicine at UAB. Advances in medicine and in technology, Kimberlin said, allows doctors to better diagnose and monitor potential challenges for mothers and their babies. “We’ve had quite a few favorable outcomes,” she said. It is important for mothers to follow the advice of healthcare professionals and to keep their regular appointments, Kimberlin said. “In cases where multiple babies are expected, it is usually a strongly desired pregnancy, so they are really interested and compliant with prenatal visits,” Kimberlin said. Doctors work with women facing complicated child birth as early as the first trimester screening, and sometimes sooner if there is a history of complications, said Dr. Luisa Wetta, assistant professor – maternal fetal medicine. “Most women will get a general dating ultra sound at six to 10 weeks and they have an anatomical ultra sound at 18 to 20 weeks,” she said. Medical professionals can use ultra sounds to detect problems and monitor progress of the baby and mother. In the case of Susan Jernigan, doctors noticed that her baby was small,” Jernigan said. “They were also able to detect a problem with the amniotic fluid.” Jernigan was referred to UAB and observed by specialists for about a week.“They determined that our baby would do best if I went ahead and delivered,” she said. Jernigan doesn’t know how long they will be at UAB, but she said the doctors, nurses and staff has done everything possible to make Emma Kate’s stay great.