Zoe Sara Haklili, pregnant for the first time, was under the care of her Beverly Hills OB/GYN when she was referred to Dr. Rad for observational screenings and monitoring.
Her first pregnancy went full term as planned, and Zoe couldn’t have been more pleased with Dr. Rad’s care. “I found him to be incredibly intelligent and meticulous,” says the songwriter and artist who is planning to release her cinematic visual style music later this summer.
Pregnancy number two meant full-time Dr. Rad
Even though her first pregnancy went well, Zoe did what is trending with many pregnant moms for her second pregnancy. She signed on with a high-risk pregnancy doctor before there was an emergency. “Better safe than sorry,” she said.
According to Dr. Rad, the one thing predictable about pregnancies is that they are all unpredictable. Seeing him adds a layer of protection to what seems to be an uncomplicated pregnancy.
“There’s actually no such thing as a low-risk pregnancy,” explains Dr. Rad. “Every pregnancy is potentially at risk of complications.”
Zoe’s second pregnancy complication: growth retardation in pregnancy
As it turns out, Zoe made a wise decision to see Dr. Rad. Sometime after her 20-week scan, she developed intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), also called fetal growth restriction (FGR). IUGR/FGR means that the fetus is growing slower than expected. The precise definition of IUGR/FGR is when the weight of the fetus is less than the 10th percentile for its gestational age.
In other words, for the same number of weeks in the pregnancy, 9 out of 10 fetuses will weigh more. This condition affects about 10% of pregnancies and occurs for various reasons. It’s important to note that IUGR babies can be healthy at birth.
Upon diagnosing Zoe’s IUGR, Dr. Rad transitioned Zoe into “high care,” which translates to frequent visits. “I saw her once every week or two and monitored the baby’s growth closely,” he says. “I also advised her on proper nutrition.”
During those visits, he used high-frequency sound waves called ultrasounds to safely monitor the health and development of Zoe’s baby in the womb (uterus).
Ultrasound exams should begin early in pregnancy. One reason is to confirm the presence of single or multiple fetuses. Another is to look for any irregularities of the uterus or ovaries that can affect the pregnancy.
Later, a 3D ultrasound might be performed by Dr. Rad to see more detail. If he suspects complications that might affect a delivery, increase the risk of preterm labor, or affect the child’s health after delivery, Dr. Rad may order a 4D ultrasound to view the baby in real time.
Then came more pregnancy complications
In addition to IUGR, Dr. Rad observed cholestasis of pregnancy, also known as intrahepatic (inside the liver) cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP). Your liver produces and releases bile to help you digest your food. With ICP, the bile builds up in the liver instead of being released.
This liver disorder tends to occur later in pregnancy. Some data shows that it happens more often in mothers over age 35. In addition to severe itching, ICP may harm the mother and the baby. With proper medication (usually steroids), Dr. Rad was able to lower the bile production.
To add to her difficulties, Zoe developed placenta insufficiency, also known as uteroplacental insufficiency. This complication occurs when the placenta does not develop properly. As a result, the fetus does not receive sufficient oxygen and nutrients, which can lead to various complications for both the mother and the baby.
Great care equals great results
Throughout the pregnancy, Dr. Rad frequently observed the baby’s growth. He used a combination of methods: ongoing ultrasounds, non-stress tests (which measure fetal heart rate in response to movement and contractions), and a biophysical profile done after the 28th week of pregnancy. This last test helps evaluate the fetus’s health by measuring body movement, muscle tone, breathing movement, heart rate, and amniotic fluid level.
The good news is that a healthy baby came into the world just fine after all this.
Zoe was unfazed by the pregnancy setbacks. “Dr. Rad was so involved. He flew back from vacation early to be by my side,” she says. “It’s unusual for a doctor to be that available.”
Zoe’s third pregnancy: another well-managed birth
After the second pregnancy, Zoe and her husband understood what could happen in the third. “I was nervous the third time around,” says Zoe, remembering the issues from her previous pregnancy. “I realized the gravity of the situation and was apprehensive.”
This pregnancy went well until the very end when Zoe experienced another case of placental insufficiency. The baby girl’s umbilical cord was not getting enough blood flow, so its oxygen and nutrients were in danger of being insufficient.
Then, a growth scan indicated that the baby wasn’t moving as much as Dr. Rad thought was appropriate for milestones at this gestational age. The next day, he performed a gentle C-section. Their little girl was delivered healthy and at a good birth weight at their local hospital, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.
Despite their worry, Zoe and her husband never doubted Dr. Rad’s talents and warm heart. “There’s no one in the world I would have trusted other than him,” she says. “I realized health is the most important thing. I’m so grateful to Dr. Rad.”
Her kids are now aged six, four, and eight months.
Call (844) 473-6100 or click here to schedule online
Why trust your pregnancy to Dr. Rad?
Expectant mothers with high-risk pregnancies worldwide are finding their way to Dr. Steve Rad’s Beverley Hills offices. Dr. Rad is recognized as one of the premier healthcare obstetricians for high-risk pregnancy and maternal-fetal medicine. Los Angeles Magazine has named him an OB/GYN top maternal-fetal medicine specialist in Los Angeles for six years.
Maternal-fetal medicine specialists (perinatologists) begin with a traditional obstetrics and gynecology education. Then, they train for an additional three years to learn to treat pregnancy complications and promote a healthy pregnancy.
Dr. Rad handles pregnancy-related health problems and pre-existing medical conditions that could impact pregnancy, including gestational diabetes, severe IUGR, hypertension (high blood pressure), genetic conditions, preterm labor, anemia, preeclampsia, stillbirth and pregnancy loss, chromosomal problems (such as Down Syndrome), advanced maternal age, kidney disease, genetic disorders, multiple gestation (twins or triplets), placenta disorder, and congenital disabilities.
Dr. Rad provides in-home prenatal care and has a fly-in program for out-of-town and international patients. He travels to patients who need him throughout the U.S. and worldwide and also offers virtual consultations.
Call (844) 473-6100 or schedule your consultation online. We are currently accepting new patients.
