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Jason Vaught, M.D.
- Director, Labor and Delivery
- Director, Advanced Obstetric Surgery Center
- Robert E. Meyerhoff Professor
- Associate Professor of Gynecology and Obstetrics
- Associate Professor of Surgery
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Torre Leigh Halscott, M.D., M.S.
- Medical Director of Nelson 2 Clinic
- Assistant Professor of Gynecology and Obstetrics
Pregnancy is hard on the heart. While you are pregnant, your heart needs to work harder to support the increased blood you and your growing baby need. If you have a pre-existing heart condition, you’re at an increased risk of heart related complications. Our cardio-obstetrics program is specially designed to support you and your child through pregnancy, delivery and recovery.
About Cardio-Obstetrics
Cardio-obstetrics combines the obstetric expertise of maternal-fetal medicine specialists alongside the heart expertise of cardiologists. Together, these specialists provide a unique perspective on how to manage your heart condition, helping you and your child during pregnancy. If you have a pre-existing heart condition, such as Marfan syndrome, cardiomyopathy, arrhythmias or congenital heart disease you or your baby may require additional care throughout your pregnancy. As part of your prenatal screenings, our team can help with additional fetal echo scans and assist you with managing any possible treatment or therapy needed.
Why Choose Johns Hopkins for Cardio-Obstetric Care?
Collaboration and Expertise
Our program combines the multidisciplinary expertise of cardiology, maternal-fetal medicine, and adult congenital cardiology. We also have access to specialized surgeons and care throughout Johns Hopkins.

Labor and Delivery
Through this program, mothers deliver their baby in the supportive environment of The Johns Hopkins Hospital labor and delivery unit without the risk of being transferred to the cardiac critical care unit.

Streamlined Appointments
Moms have the ability to combine their prenatal scans and heart scans into one appointment.

Recovery
Specialized labor and delivery rooms are equipped with cardiac monitoring systems and newborn beds. This allows for you and your child to remain together, bonding during recovery.

Maternal-Fetal Medicine Experts
Cardiology Experts
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Erin Donnelly Michos, M.D., M.H.S.
- Director of Women's Cardiovascular Health Research
- Associate Director of Preventive Cardiology
- Associate Professor of Medicine
Congenital Cardiology Experts
Ari Michael Cedars, M.D.

- Director, Adult Congenital Heart Disease
- Associate Professor of Medicine
- Associate Professor of Pediatrics
Obstetric Anesthesia Experts
Jamie Deneen Murphy, M.D.

- Director of Obstetric Anesthesia
- Associate Professor of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine
- Associate Professor of Gynecology and Obstetrics
Frequently Asked Questions
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A: Yes. Your hospital room is equipped with cardiac monitoring systems, equipped to do telemetry as well as invasive monitoring, should you need it. It is also equipped with a neonatal bed, a special bed designed for your newborn. This allows mothers to remain in the room with their newborn for bonding. Should you your child need it, a level IV neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is also available.
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A: No. Studies at Johns Hopkins suggest that mothers with cardiac disease are not at an increased risk of needing a caesarian section (c-section).
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A: All of our services are offered at our The Johns Hopkins Hospital. We offer an innovative and consolidated program with the infrastructure in place to care for you and your baby in any circumstance. During your appointments and delivery, you will be cared for our maternal-fetal medicine specialists and cardiologists.
Cardio-Obstetrics: Collaborating Programs
Conditions We Treat
Our program sees mothers for a variety of heart and vascular conditions including:
- Compliment disorders and autoimmune disorders
- Hematologic (Blood) Disorders
- People with a history of preterm preeclampsia
- Lipid disorders (cholesterol and triglycerides)
- Have previously experienced a heart attack
Locations Nelson/Harvey Building, 2nd Floor

Johns Hopkins Hospital
600 North Wolfe St
Baltimore, MD 21287
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Request an Appointment: 443-997-0400