High-Risk Pregnancy

Also called a Maternal-Fetal Medicine Specialist or Perinatologist, it is an obstetrician who specializes in high-risk pregnancy care. We will work with your obstetrical provider, nurses, and other health care providers to ensure the best outcome for you and your baby.

A patient can be high-risk for maternal, obstetrical, or fetal complications. Please note that not all patients seen in our office are “high-risk patients.” Because of the advanced ultrasound skills of Dr. Lu and the staff at High-Risk Pregnancy Center of Kansas City, your provider may also rely on the center to perform ultrasounds for a healthy woman with a low-risk pregnancy. 

We are a consultative service and provide recommendations to you and your obstetrician.  Please remain in contact with and attend all appointments with your OB provider for obstetrical care and delivery.

They will provide consultative services and expertise in fetal ultrasound imaging and management of maternal health conditions, but do not perform deliveries.

If applicable, an ultrasound scan will be completed with one of our experienced sonographers and a consultation will be conducted to review the findings. We will discuss implications of ultrasound findings, lab results or lab tests needed, the course of the rest of pregnancy, and any additional visits needed.

AIUM ultrasound practice accreditation is a voluntary review process that allows practices to demonstrate that they meet or exceed nationally recognized standards in the performance and interpretation of diagnostic ultrasound examinations. AIUM accreditation means that a practice exhibits commitment to clinical excellence and highest quality patient care.

We review the ultrasound in real-time while sonographers are capturing images. Results are received and discussed at the same appointment.

The ultrasound rooms require dim lighting which is not conducive to video or FaceTime. Also, this policy enables our sonographers to focus on capturing the necessary images and sounds without interference. We will provide a link to images and videos to instantaneously share with loved ones and upload to social media. FaceTime or phone calls are permitted during a consultative discussions.

We kindly request that patients arrive 15 minutes early to the scheduled appointment to update medical records. If you will be completing the new patient paperwork in our office, please arrive 30 minutes early. Please remember to bring all insurance cards, driver’s license or valid photo ID, completed patient paperwork, and the copayment. It is helpful to have a list of any medical prescriptions prepared to expedite the visit. Be familiar with where we are located (our receptionists will give landmarks and specific instructions to aid in arriving to our office easily). Fill your bladder if you are in your first or second trimester. If diabetic, please bring at least one week of written down blood sugar readings to your appointment.

No. We do not perform elective 3D ultrasounds. In some cases where there may be an abnormality, we may use 3D imaging for diagnostic purposes.

Our office does not collect urine samples. However, it is helpful to have a full bladder for some types of ultrasound scans. In the third trimester, it is not necessary to come with a full bladder for any appointment.

No. After consultation, we will order the recommended lab work. The blood sample collection will occur at designated blood draw locations depending on the lab company. We do not order bloodwork to determine the baby's gender.

Ultrasound reports and office visit notes are faxed the same day of the appointment. All lab results are faxed immediately after they are reviewed.

Depending on the baby’s position and technical factors, we MAY be able to tell the gender as early as 13 weeks. But usually, this is done at the anatomy scan around 20 weeks.

An NT (or nuchal translucency screening) is an ultrasound done between 11 to 14 weeks that looks at basic anatomy of the baby and measures the nuchal translucency. These measurements are used to determine age of the fetus, risk of chromosome abnormalities, and risk of heart defects. An anatomy scan is done, ideally, between 18 to 22 weeks. We look at the baby from head to toe, examine the placenta, evaluate amniotic fluid, umbilical cord, and other maternal structures. Around one hundred different things are evaluated and are used to determine the fetus’ wellbeing as well as assess the risk for chromosome abnormalities and other structural defects.

The anatomy scans we perform are based on criteria required by the AIUM (a very prestigious accrediting body) which includes, for some exams, upwards of 100 different anatomy items/images. Our machines and combined experience of 50+ years helps us image and interpret each exam with the utmost of care. We undergo continuous education and are constantly on top of the latest information and research when it comes to caring for high-risk patients.

A BPP, or biophysical profile, is a 30-minute ultrasound test for fetal wellbeing. Each of the 4 evaluated “activities” results in 2 points each. The goal of each BPP is for the fetus to perform all 4 items and receive a “passing score” of 8/8. This helps provide reassurance that your risk of stillbirth is as low as possible. These weekly tests must be performed within 7 days of the previous.

Insurance carriers only allow one provider/office who performs the delivery to claim the global fee charges. The global fee includes 13 routine antepartum visits, delivery, and the 6-week postpartum visit. Any special lab work, ultrasounds, and additional visits are billed separately.

Deductible: This is the fixed amount that must be paid for healthcare services before the insurance company begins covering costs.

Co-insurance: After meeting a deductible, the insured typically pay a certain percentage of costs, called co-insurance, for any services that are covered by the plan. Co-insurance is paid until the insured meets their out-of-pocket maximum for the year.