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Preconception Counseling
Preconception Counseling

Preconception counseling is an office consultation to discuss the potential risks a woman may face when pursuing pregnancy. Discussion typically involves identifying risk factors that could impact the progress of a healthy pregnancy and healthy fetus. Addressing issues ahead of time, such as... Continue Reading

Date posted03/1/2016


Practice Bulletin #162, Prenatal Diagnostic Testing for Genetic Disorders
Practice Bulletin #162, Prenatal Diagnostic Testing for Genetic Disorders

Download PDF TAGS:prenatal testing, prenatal diagnosis, genetic CATEGORIES:OB-GYN, Sub-specialist, Certified Nurse Midwife and Laborist Fetal Issues and Complications Joint Publication Continue Reading

Date posted03/1/2016


The Zika Virus
The Zika Virus

The Zika virus is a mosquito-borne virus that has been associated with congenital defects, primarily of the central nervous system. According to the CDC, clinicians should screen women who have traveled to known areas of Zika transmission. Pregnant women who report clinical illness consistent... Continue Reading

Date posted01/31/2016


Multifetal gestations: twin, triplet, and higher-order multifetal pregnancies- Interim Update
Multifetal gestations: twin, triplet, and higher-order multifetal pregnancies- Interim Update

The incidence of multifetal gestations in the United States has increased dramatically over the past several decades. The rate of twin births increased 76% between 1980 and 2009, from 18.9 to 33.3 per 1,000 births (). The rate of triplet and higher-order multifetal gestations increased more than... Continue Reading

Date posted01/1/2016


Ethical Considerations for Including Women as Research Participants
Ethical Considerations for Including Women as Research Participants

ABSTRACT: Inclusion of women in research studies is necessary for valid inferences about health and disease in women. The generalization of results from trials conducted in men may yield erroneous conclusions that fail to account for the biologic differences between men and women. Although... Continue Reading

Date posted11/2/2015


One of the biggest changes in ICD-10 conventions
One of the biggest changes in ICD-10 conventions

One of the biggest changes in ICD-10 conventions, compared to ICD-9, is the EXCLUDES note. In ICD-9, the alert was simply “EXCLUDES…”. In ICD-10, the alert has been expanded to accommodate two concepts: EXCLUDES 1 and EXCLUDES 2. Excludes 1 means NOT CODED HERE. The code(s)... Continue Reading

Date posted08/31/2015


SMFM Consult Series #37: Diagnosis and management of vasa previa
SMFM Consult Series #37: Diagnosis and management of vasa previa

Vasa previa occurs when unprotected fetal blood vessels run through the amniotic membranes and traverse the cervix. Complications include fetal hemorrhage, exsanguination, or death. Diagnosis by ultrasound. Management: antenatal corticosteroids 28-32 weeks, considerations for preterm... Continue Reading

Date posted08/1/2015


The Boy Who Cried Wolf
The Boy Who Cried Wolf

Do you remember Aesop's Fables story of "The Boy Who Cried Wolf"? Many times the boy tells the villagers that a wolf is attacking his flock. He tells them so many times that one day when the wolf really is attacking, no one believes him. Does this sound a little like the government and ICD-10? ... Continue Reading

Date posted07/13/2015


Non-Physician Providers in Maternal Fetal Medicine
Non-Physician Providers in Maternal Fetal Medicine

The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists have reported a projected decrease in the workforce over the next two decades.1 This anticipated change in supply and demand is correlated with the demographic changes among physicians and patients, the aging population, and the relatively... Continue Reading

Date posted06/17/2015


How to report an NT (76813) performed without obtaining the biochemical markers
How to report an NT (76813) performed without obtaining the biochemical markers

The nuchal translucency ultrasound scan and blood tests are often done together in what is called the combined first-trimester genetic screen. Part of the first trimester genetic screen uses ultrasound to measure the thickness of the area at the back of the baby's neck. Obtaining the biochemical... Continue Reading

Date posted03/31/2015


SMFM Consult #8: The Fetus at risk for anemia–diagnosis and management
SMFM Consult #8: The Fetus at risk for anemia–diagnosis and management

Correction to this Consult: In Figure 2, the box that reads "Induce labor at 38-39 weeks" should read "Induce labor at 37-38 weeks". A revised Figure 2, "Algorithm for clinical management of the red cell alloimmunized pregnancy" can be found here. Diagnosis/definition: Hemoglobin value that... Continue Reading

Date posted03/27/2015


X{EPSU} Modifiers
X{EPSU} Modifiers

Effective Jan. 1, 2015, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) implemented four new modifiers to define specific subsets of the 59 modifier. These new modifiers are referred to as X{EPSU} modifiers, and are more selective versions of modifier 59. Current procedural terminology... Continue Reading

Date posted02/28/2015