BWH Division of Women's Health
Department of Medicine
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In the Obstetric Internal Medicine Clinic, we understand that pregnancy affects each patient differently – and certain medical conditions or complications impact not only a patient’s current pregnancy and postpartum recovery, but future pregnancies and long-term health. We recognize the importance of these transitions in and around pregnancy and see opportunity to optimize health by engaging patients in comprehensive, longitudinal medical care: preconception, during pregnancy, postpartum, and beyond.
The Obstetric Internal Medicine Clinic focuses on:
Dr. Meghan Rudder is a board-certified internal medicine physician who is trained in the diagnosis and treatment of medical problems in pregnancy.
After completing her internal medicine residency at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, she went on to complete a two-year fellowship in obstetric and consultative medicine at Women & Infants Hospital affiliated with Brown University.
Brigham Medical Specialties Clinic
75 Francis Street
Boston, MA 02115
Fish Center for Women’s Health
850 Boylston Street, Suite 402
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
Preconception Evaluation
We offer preconception counseling for patients with underlying medical conditions who would like to discuss how to manage their condition before becoming pregnant and to address concerns about their condition during pregnancy. Through preconception evaluation and counseling, we help patients optimize their chronic medical conditions and overall health for pregnancy specifically, integrating professional guidelines from both medicine and obstetric societies. This may involve weight control, glycemic control, blood pressure control, smoking cessation, and medication management to ensure use of medications safe and effective in pregnancy. For many conditions, preconception disease control is just as, if not more, important than prenatal disease control.
Medical Consultation and Management during Pregnancy
Often, the physiologic changes of pregnancy impact the behavior and management of preexisting chronic disease. Additionally, these changes may result in symptoms which can represent normal physiology or previously undiagnosed medical conditions unmasked by the physiologic stresses of pregnancy. We provide consultation for pregnant patients requiring management of chronic medical conditions in pregnancy, or who develop new medical concerns or complications during pregnancy.
Postpartum Follow-up
For patients who have required active management of chronic disease during pregnancy, as well as for those who have experienced medical complications of pregnancy, the postpartum period often requires more intensive follow up with medication adjustment and patient counseling. We continue to follow patients in the postpartum period until they are stabilized and ready to return to or begin care with their long-term medical provider.
Pregnancy is often compared to a stress test, with certain medical complications predicting increased risk for future chronic disease. We provide personalized assessment and counseling regarding future risk of cardiovascular disease, accounting for complications of pregnancy. We additionally provide a roadmap for patients and their long-term care providers about ongoing screening and risk reduction.
Research Program of the Division of Women’s Health
Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital
75 Francis Street, Boston MA 02115
