Media contact: Anna Jones
The Family and Community Medicine Clinic at UAB Hospital-Highlands has 14 providers and seven residents prepared to treat pregnant individuals and newborns.
The University of Alabama at Birmingham Department of Family and Community Medicine is partnering with the UAB Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology to provide prenatal services at the Family and Community Medicine Clinic at UAB Hospital-Highlands. The new service allows low-risk pregnant patients to receive the crucial care they need before giving birth.
Prenatal patients regularly meet with their providers, affording them the opportunity to discuss questions and concerns with their physician. During these appointments, patients’ vital signs are recorded, and lab tests or imaging may be performed.
“We are thankful for the partnership with the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and the collaboration of many others, that have made this a possibility,” said Erin DeLaney, M.D., the medical director of the Family and Community Medicine Clinic. “We look forward to the gateway this opportunity will provide in allowing us to care for babies, and the whole family.”
The maternal death rate in the United States is higher than in any other developed country in the world, and Alabama ranks third in the country. Among the causes for maternal mortality are inadequate access to pregnancy prevention and pre-conception care, lack of timely prenatal care, and under-addressed cardiovascular disease and diabetes. March of Dimes asserts the distance a pregnant person must travel to access care is a critical factor during pregnancy, at the time of birth and in the case of emergencies. The greater the distance to access maternity care, the greater the risk of maternal morbidity and adverse infant outcomes, not to mention any potential financial- or travel-induced anxiety.
“Working in partnership with colleagues from OB/GYN, community health centers, county health departments, social work and others, Family Medicine is poised to play a key role in assessing and addressing many of the disparities that lead to worse outcomes for pregnant and postpartum patients,” said Jill Marsh, M.D., assistant professor in the UAB Department of Family and Community Medicine.
Patients can make an appointment with a provider by calling 205-934-9700.
The Family and Community Medicine Clinic at UAB Hospital-Highlands has 14 providers and seven residents prepared to provide prenatal care to pregnant individuals, as well as newborns. Delivery services will remain through the UAB Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the UAB Women and Infants Center.
“Expanding access to prenatal care services is an important step toward addressing the needs of pregnant patients in and around Birmingham,” said Warner Huh, M.D., chair of the UAB Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. “This partnership will also help connect Family and Community Medicine patients with the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology providers for delivery care.”
Patients can make an appointment with a provider by calling 205-934-9700.