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Who We Are
The Maternal Transport Team at Methodist Children’s Hospital is dedicated to providing a prompt and efficient transport for high risk obstetrical patients. They are staffed with a multidisciplinary team of medical specialists for expectant mothers experiencing pregnancy complications. The service deploys team members in ambulances and helicopters that feature a self-contained mobile intensive care environment.
Our Team and Unit
The Methodist Children’s Hospital Maternal Transport Team consists of two highly skilled and obstetrically trained registered nurses and a paramedic. Our paramedics are equally qualified and provide assistance with airway, medication and general patient management.
Our flight crew and ground paramedics are also qualified to provide medical consultation and oversee the care of the patient by phone and/or radio from the time the patient leaves the referring facility until the time the patient arrives at Methodist Hospital.
Additionally, a team of maternal fetal medicine specialists/perinatologists are available for medical management, consultation and treatment services including:
- Maternal fetal medicine consultation
- High-resolution ultrasound
- Amniocentesis
- Fetal therapeutics including percutaneous umbilical blood sampling (PUBS)
- Intrauterine transfusions
- Coordination of maternal-fetal care for congenital anomalies
- Caring for perinatal problems with the team of neonatologists and pediatric surgeons at Methodist Children’s Hospital
The Importance of
Maternal/Fetal Transport
Though each patient needs to be evaluated on an individual basis, general guidelines can be given for patients who are likely to require maternal/fetal or neonatal intensive care. If maternal/fetal, or neonatal intensive care is anticipated, referral to a regional center may be desirable for several reasons:
- High risk pregnancies with certain conditions may require intensive care with highly specialized monitoring and evaluation capability for extended periods
- Intrauterine transport is less stressful for a baby than neonatal transport
- Maternal/fetal transport allows mother and baby to be close to each other soon after delivery
- Maternal/fetal and neonatal transport to a regional center provides highly sophisticated medical equipment and resources for patients who require a higher level of care
Transporting for Delivery at a Regional Perinatal Center
Maternal transfer is advisable for but not limited to:
- Chronic or Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension
- Rh (or other) sensitization
- Gestational and Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes
- Third trimester bleeding
- Premature rupture of membranes at less than 34 weeks’ gestation or less than 2,000 g. estimated fetal weight
- Multiple gestations
- Intrauterine growth restriction
- Severe maternal infection such as hepatitis, pyelonephritis, influenza, HIV, pneumonia, etc.
- Maternal kidney disease with impaired renal function
- Maternal drug dependency
- Fetal malformation
- Hydramnios or Oligohydramnios
- Abnormal results from biophysical profile or non-stress tests
Whether maternal/fetal transport is advisable should be decided jointly by the patients’ referring physician and the receiving regional center specialist.
Clinical Feedback
After the transport, the maternal transport team will communicate with the referring facility and physician regarding patient progress and outcomes. A written summary will be sent to the referring provider after discharge.
One Call Center
The One Call Center is available 24 hours a day to facilitate transfers, administrative approval and transport physician consultation. The One Call Center is RN staffed and will coordinate your patient’s transfer.
One call does it all for maternal and neonatal transports!
Call 1-800-277-7428 for your maternal transport needs.
For further information regarding our program contact:
Angela Crawford, RN, CCRN, CMTE
Transport Director
Office–210-575-6730
Mobile–210-269-1534
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