Allina Health

For more than 25 years, Minnesota Perinatal Physicians has provided high-risk pregnancy care for women in the five-state region.

Today, we have one of the largest perinatal practices in the nation with five locations in the Minneapolis / St. Paul area.

We offer comprehensive diagnostic services and medical/surgical care for a full range of fetal abnormalities, maternal health concerns and complications of pregnancy.

We deliver more than 1,000 babies a year.

Referrals and appointments

Patients must be referred by their primary care provider.

Service request or referral request form

As a convenience to our patients and referring providers, all of our scheduling is done through one centralized scheduling department.

New patients
Please fill out the Genetic Screening Questionnaire.

Exceptional outcomes

Our collaboration with the neonatal specialists at Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota has led to excellent care for high-risk obstetric patients and premature or sick newborns.

Our outcomes are among the best in the nation. WomenCare's Outcome Report.

In the news

• Bill Block, MD, Answers Jason DeRusha's Good Question: What are the Odds of a Multiple Birth?
• Twin Cities mom delivers quadruplets
• Mpls.St.Paul Magazine: Prenatal surgery saves twins
• Successful fetal surgery results in birth of healthy twins to Wisconsin couple
• MD News special feature: Midwest Fetal Care Center

Convenient clinic locations

Our doctors also see patients at several outreach locations across the region to provide high-risk pregnancy care.

Experienced care team

Our staff members include obstetricians with advanced education and training in high-risk pregnancy care and fetal surgery, a nurse practitioner, obstetrical nurses, genetic counselors and specially trained ultrasound sonographers.

• Elin Nelson, NP
• Jill Galassi, WHNP-BC
• Jill Coggins, MSN, CNM
• Heidi Sannes, CNP

Doctors at Minnesota Perinatal Physicians

Our doctors are obstetrician / gynecologists (OB/GYNs) who specialize in maternal-fetal medicine and fetal surgery.

Obstetrician / gynecologists

Obstetrician / gynecologists -- OB/GYNs -- are doctors who specialize in the care of the female reproductive system.

Learn more about this medical specialty.

Maternal and fetal medicine (high-risk pregnancy care)

Maternal and fetal medicine involves the care of a mother and her baby during pregnancy, birth and delivery. During a high-risk pregnancy, our doctors can help a woman have the healthiest possible pregnancy and birth.

Learn more about this medical specialty.

William Block, MD, meets Gavin Joseph and Owen John Cassellius at age one. Dr. Block was one of two surgeons who performed fetal surgery on the boys to reverse twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome. Read about the boys' birth.

• Marijo N. Aguilera, MD
• Suresh N. Ahanya, MD
• Richard P. Bendel, MD
• Steven E. Calvin, MD
• William A. Block, Jr., MD
• Diana R. Danilenko, MD
• Lea A. Fairbanks, MD
• Emanuel P. Gaziano, MD
• Subhashini J. Ladella, MD
• David I. Lynch-Salamon, MD
• Patricia Mills, MD
• Judith A. Ney, MD
• Kathleen M. Pfleghaar, MD
• Lisa L. Saul, MD
• Jessica P. Swartout, MD
• Heidi L. Thorson, MD
• William E. Wagner, MD
• Donald D. Wothe, MD

We also work closely with a network of medical specialists, including neonatologists, pediatric cardiologists, endocrinologists, neurologists, surgeons and others.

Neonatology

A neonatologist is a doctor who cares for newborn babies who are ill or were born too early (premature).

Learn more about this medical specialty.

Pediatric cardiology

Pediatric cardiologists are doctors who identify, treat and prevent heart and blood vessel diseases. They help children of all ages, from infants to adolescents.

Endocrinology

An endocrinologist is a doctor who specializes in treating problems with the endocrine glands, which control how the body sends hormones directly into the blood and other fluids.

Learn more about this medical specialty.

Neurology

An neurologist is a doctor who specializes in treating problems with the nervous system (brain, spinal cord, muscles and nerves).

Learn more about this medical specialty.

Surgery

A surgeon is a doctor who performs operations or surgeries to correct birth defects or other problems.

Learn more about this medical specialty.

Primary care partners

We value the role of the primary care provider in caring for women with high-risk pregnancies. We emphasize timely and open communication and work with primary care doctors to develop and manage a plan of care.

Primary care provider

A primary care provider is also called a general practitioner, general doctor or family doctor. He or she is the main medical professional you go to for your health needs.

Learn about fiinding the right primary care provider for you.

Conditions treated

We can help to manage or reduce possible complications for women who:

• are 35 years or older at the time of delivery
• have a disease such as cancer, lupus, diabetes, hypertension or asthma
• are carrying a baby with abnormalities or syndromes
• have suffered a previous pregnancy loss
• are at risk of delivering prematurely
• have been exposed to environmental toxins or potentially harmful medicines during pregnancy
• have a family history of genetic disease
• have a multiple pregnancy
• have a drug addiction
• have experienced problems with previous pregnancies.

Advanced services

Services include:

• perinatal consultation with primary care physicians available 24 hours a day
• consultation before pregnancy for women who have experienced a previous high-risk pregnancy or have an existing condition that may put them at risk for a complicated pregnancy
• consultation, monitoring and treatment of the mother's medical conditions or pregnancy complications
• targeted ultrasound
• advanced imaging technology, including three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound, fetal echocardiography, MRI, CT scan
• other antepartum tests to determine fetal well-being, such as biophysical profiles and non-stress tests
• genetic testing and counseling
• obstetrical home health care programs for women who have diabetes, hypertension and hyperemesis.

Midwest Fetal Care Center

A collaboration of Minnesota Perinatal Physicians, Pediatric Surgical Associates, Abbott Northwestern Hospital and Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota, the Midwest Fetal Care Center is the only program of its kind in the Upper Midwest.

The Center provides optimal care for those whose babies have potentially life-threatening conditions.

Learn more about Midwest Fetal Care Center.