As Amy Roddey was being rolled into MUSC's labor and delivery unit for the emergency measures that saved her second child, she was comforted by—of all things—the wallpaper.

“I saw familiar seashells on the wallpaper and thought,” 'We're in trouble, but we're going to be OK,'” She'd been there many times before when the pre-term birth of her first-born son, Joseph Jacob, was delayed repeatedly.

When Roddey began her first pregnancy, she paid close attention to her obstetrician's guidelines for a healthy pregnancy. At 13 weeks however, her ultrasound revealed a possible problem with one of the baby's kidneys, and what had begun as a normal pregnancy was referred to MUSC's Prenatal Wellness Center for evaluation by a team of perinatologists/obstetricians specializing in maternal fetal medicine.

“When we pulled up I thought, 'Oh no, my baby has a problem,'” Roddey said. “But the staff embraces you with information. It was so reassuring to know we were in the very best hands.”

For 30 years, MUSC has provided the most comprehensive perinatal/neonatal care in the region. In the state's only Level III Neonatal Intensive Care unit, the neonatology team supports and treats premature infants (born as early as 24 weeks) and those with life-threatening problems.

Dilip Purohit, M.D., director of the Division of Neonatology in MUSC's Department of Pediatrics, cites the combined disciplines of physicians, surgeons, nurses, respiratory therapists, pharmacists and nutritionists as having the greatest impact on improving care to infants. “But clearly, building on obstetrical and prenatal care ensures the best outcome for pregnancy.”

It was discovered that an abnormal tube from the kidney had caused blockage and enlargement of the Roddey baby's kidney. Although there were no signs of distress to the baby, it was decided that the blockage was not getting better and that Roddey should remain a patient of the MUSC Prenatal Wellness Center.

Weekly ultrasounds monitored the baby's development, and it seemed that Roddey could safely carry the pregnancy full term. But around seven months, she began having contractions. During the next six weeks, she ended up in the labor and delivery unit a dozen times. “It was frightening, but each time, someone described exactly what was going on and what I could expect if the baby came,” Roddey said.

At 37 weeks, Roddey was taken off all medicine to delay delivery. And five days later, Joe-Jay was born. He weighed 7 pounds and 6 ounces. The baby was evaluated by MUSC Children's Hospital's pediatric urologist, Ian Aaronson, M.D., and it was determined that at three months, the blockage from his kidney could be safely corrected.

Three months after Joe-Jay's surgery, the Roddeys found out that Amy was pregnant again. And 29 weeks into the second pregnancy, she experienced dangerous contractions. She was hospitalized by her obstetrician at a local hospital, discharged and hospitalized again. Roddey was ultimately taken by ambulance to MUSC where as before, her pre-term labor was arrested. “People need to understand there's no need to risk anything so precious,” Roddey said. “Not when the best care is so close.”

Peter Van Dorsten, M.D., vice chairman of MUSC's Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, strongly agrees. “There are many factors that would categorize a pregnancy as high risk,“ he said. “It's important for women to identify themselves as possible high risk and to seek an evaluation by a prenatal specialist. Patient and baby have access to any type of specialized care that is required, in one place.”

Measures taken to delay pre-term delivery of the Roddeys' second child were successful. Roddey was eventually sent home for full bed rest. Just like her first son, Terry Spencer was born through normal delivery at 37 weeks. “I think there is a lot to be said about keeping calm when you are in a high-risk situation,“ she said. “Having someone beside me, and having the leading specialists, seemed to relax me.”

The Roddeys' children exemplify how advances in prenatal, perinatal and neonatal care have had tremendous impact statewide. Merely a decade ago, mothers and babies of a similar gestation would not have received high-risk prenatal care and might have development concerns that come with premature birth.

If you are pregnant or are considering a pregnancy, call Health Connection at 792-1414 or 1-800-424-MUSC for more information and to find out if you are in a high-risk category.

Editor's note: The article is reprinted from Checkup newsletter, produced by MUSC Creative Services.