UnityPoint Health - Des Moines Perinatal Center
Information
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Hours & Directions
Perinatal Center
The Perinatologists and Perinatal Nurse Practitioners at UnityPoint Health – Des Moines Perinatal Center care for women and their unborn babies that have high risk for complications. We partner with your primary OB physician/midwife to develop the best plan of care for you and your unborn baby. Your primary OB provider/midwife will continue to see you for your routine pregnancy appointments. In addition to your routine office visits, the number of visits you have with us will be determined by the reason for your referral to our office.
High risk conditions we see at the center include:
- Multiple fetuses (twins, triplets or more)
- History of early deliveries
- Recurrent pregnancy loss
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Heart, lung, vascular or kidney disease
- Blood disorders
- Fetal complications
Appointments & Referrals
When you are referred to the Perinatal Center, your referral will be reviewed by our RN Care Coordinator who will determine when you need to be scheduled based on your gestational age in pregnancy and the reason for being referred to us.
How to Prepare for Your First Appointment
Delivering the highest quality care to you is a responsibility that is important to us. Due to the length of your appointments with us, we encourage our patients to arrange for childcare ahead of their appointment. Appointments can take up to two hours, with detailed information shared with you to determine a diagnosis and plan of care.
If you do choose to bring a child with you, make sure that you also have a support person over the age of 16 to accompany them or that they are able to sit independently in our lobby for up to two hours.
You will receive a packet of information in the mail from the Perinatal Center prior to your first appointment. Depending on the reason for your referral, the packet may contain some or all of the forms below. Please complete the forms prior to your first appointment.
Our clinic participates with most major insurance companies. Please bring a copy of your insurance card to your appointments. We will file the claim with your insurance company on your behalf. Copayment is due at the time of service. Any account balance identified as your responsibility after the insurance has paid will be billed directly to you. If you are self-pay, a discount is offered.
If you have questions about your account, please refer to our billing and payment information.
Perinatal Center Services
- We offer in-house lab work and IV hydration if ordered by our providers.
- Based on genetic screening performed at your OB/GYN or Midwife office, we can offer the opportunity to test for genetic conditions after counseling and discussion with our genetic counselors.
- Ultrasound evaluation provides an assessment of the baby’s anatomy, along with follow-up ultrasounds to measure fetal well-being. Routine and advance ultrasound examinations are performed by registered sonographers and are reviewed by the perinatologist.
- Most of our visits include an ultrasound for 30-90 minutes (possibly longer if you are pregnant with multiple babies) followed by a 30–60-minute consult with a nurse and provider. Please expect the appointment to last up to two hours.
- If you are coming to the Perinatal Center for an ultrasound without a provider consult, the results of your ultrasound will be given to your OB/GYN or Midwife provider who will share the results with you.
Specialty Services
If you develop gestational diabetes during your pregnancy, our providers will help guide your diabetic care and any complications that might arise related to this diagnosis, including insulin adjustments and glucose log review. Your primary OB/GYN provider will be your first contact for any pregnancy concerns that are not related to your diabetes.
Our diabetic educator will meet with you to go over information on glucose monitoring, equipment and medication use. Our skilled sonographers will obtain images of your baby throughout your pregnancy for our physicians to interpret for you. Together, we will set realistic goals to keep your glucose in a safe range during your pregnancy. You will also receive frequent check-ins for any questions and progress updates to help you stay on track, which will keep you and your baby as healthy as possible.
Appointment Structure
Your initial appointment at the Perinatal Center will take approximately 2.5-3 hours, although this may vary depending on when your primary OB provider sends in the referral.
- 30-60 minutes for the ultrasound
- One hour for the provider consult
- One hour for the diabetic education
Follow-up appointments will take approximately 1.5 hours, occurring around 24-26 weeks and 35-36 weeks.
- 30 minutes for the ultrasound
- 30 minutes for the provider consult
- 30 minutes for the diabetic education
Please note: If more frequent education sessions become necessary, then they might be scheduled separately from an ultrasound or provider consult.
If you are diagnosed with hypertension, our providers will help guide your care and address any complications that arise, including medication adjustments. Our care team will provide information on blood pressure monitoring, equipment and medication use. Our skilled sonographers will obtain images of your baby throughout your pregnancy for our physicians to interpret for you.
Together, we will set realistic goals to keep your blood pressure in a safe range during your pregnancy. We encourage you to contact the Perinatal Center for any questions or progress updates to help you stay on track, which will keep you and your baby as healthy as possible.
Appointment Structure
Your initial appointment at the Perinatal Center will take approximately 1.5-2 hours, although this may vary.
- 30-60 minutes for the ultrasound
- One hour for the provider consult
Follow-up appointments will take approximately one hour.
- 30 minutes for the ultrasound
- 30 minutes for the provider consult
Please note: Your primary OB/GYN provider will be your first contact for any pregnancy concerns. If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, please contact your OB/GYN provider first.
- Headache
- Pain in your abdomen
- Visual disturbances
- Excessive swelling
- Nausea/vomiting
Patient Teaching Videos
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Maternal Fetal Medicine
If your pregnancy is considered high-risk, your physician may refer you to Maternal-Fetal Medicine. Our teams partner with area OB/GYN clinics to provide preconception counseling, genetic screening and high risk pregnancy care.Maternal Fetal Medicine
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Maternity and Newborn Care
You deserve the very best for you and your baby. Our comprehensive birth care services provide individualized care, support and education throughout pregnancy, delivery and recovery.Maternity and Newborn Care
Our Providers
Oscar Viteri , MD, FACOG
Maternal And Fetal Medicine
Elizabeth Spooner, MD
Maternal And Fetal Medicine
Jill Bartlett, MSN, ARNP
Maternal And Fetal Medicine
Justin Bohrer, MD
Maternal And Fetal Medicine
Ultrasound Practice Accreditation
UnityPoint Health – Des Moines Perinatal Center has been awarded the ultrasound practice accreditation in the area of diagnostic ultrasound services by the Ultrasound Practice Accreditation Council of the American Institute in Medicine. UnityPoint Health - Des Moines Perinatal Center achieved this recognition by meeting rigorous voluntary guidelines set by the diagnostic ultrasound profession – The UnityPoint Health – Des Moines Perinatal Center is the first clinic in central Iowa to receive this prestigious award.
Diabetes Education Recognition
The UnityPoint Health – Des Moines Perinatal Center has been awarded continued recognition by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) for meeting the National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES).