Maternal-Fetal Medicine

The Maternal Fetal Medicine (MFM) section at the Medical College of Virginia Hospital, of the Virginia Commonwealth University Health Systems, is dedicated to incorporating the latest advances in the prenatal care and management of complicated pregnancies.

Care is provided for pregnancies affected by such illnesses as high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, kidney disease, epilepsy  or seizures, heart disease, infectious diseases such as HIV and hepatitis, clotting or bleeding problems, preeclampsia  or toxemia, preterm labor,  incompetent cervix,  placenta abnormalities such as previa, small baby, lack of or too much amniotic fluid, babies with birth defects,  hereditary conditions in the parents that may affect the baby, and a prior history of a complicated pregnancy or baby.

The care provided for complicated pregnancies is a collaborative team approach. For example, our specific emphasis on prenatal diagnosis (defining potential hereditary or congenital problems that may arise in the baby) is a joint effort that is supplemented by the expertise of the Human Genetics Department, with whom we work closely. The Human Genetics department provides knowledgeable genetic counseling regarding such potential concerns as maternal age, an abnormal maternal biochemical marker screening test (triple or quadruple screening), family history of a hereditary condition, such as cystic fibrosis, spina bifida and Down syndrome. If desired by the patient, our antenatal testing unit offers fetal chromosome and DNA assessment by such techniques as amniocentesis, transcervical chorionic villus sampling and fetal blood sampling (cordocentesis).

When a baby is suspected to have a birth defect or chromosomal abnormality, the team approach involves other specialists that will assist the parents in making decisions on the care of their infant. These specialists may include geneticists, neonatologist – specialists that manage babies with complications and pediatric specialists such as heart doctors, surgeons all with special expertise in the management of babies with complications. In general, prior to birth, the parents will have the opportunity to meet with the doctors to learn and understand the potential outcome and how care will be provided for the baby.

Ultrasound technology is utilized extensively in the evaluation of complicated pregnancies. All three members and the antenatal testing ultrasound unit at the MCV Hospitals and at Stony Point Women’s Health Center are accredited by the American Institute of Ultrasound Medicine. Accreditation by AIUM accreditation ensures that an ultrasound practice features well-qualified personnel, appropriate ultrasound facilities and equipment, adequate record keeping, quality assurance guidelines, and that the practice meets nationally accepted standards of patient care, demonstrates consistent excellence, and is current with the latest ultrasound technology.

The four members, Drs. Susan Lanni, Thomas Peng, Fidelma Rigby and John Seeds have all had advanced subspecialty training, are all certified by the Board of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology in the subspecialty of Maternal Fetal Medicine. Dr. Peng is also board certified in the specialty of Internal Medicine.

John Seeds, MD is Professor and Chairman of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. He received his training at University of North Carolina. He has been with the Medical College of Virginia Hospitals since 1993. Dr. Seeds is nationally and internationally renowned for his expertise in the field of ultrasound and prenatal diagnosis. 

Tom Peng, MD is Professor and Director of the section of Maternal Fetal Medicine. He received his training at Northwestern University in Chicago and at The Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. He has been with the Medical College of Virginia Hospitals since 1989. He is particularly interested in the medical management of pregnancies in women with coexisting illness.

Susan Lanni, MD is Associate Professor in the section and Director of Labor and Delivery. Dr. Lanni received her residency training at the Pennsylvania State University, Hershey Medical Center and her sub-specialty training in Maternal Fetal Medicine at Brown University, School of Medicine, Women and Infants Hospital in Providence, Rhode Island. Dr. Lanni is actively involved in clinical research and has special expertise and interests in the area of ultrasound. Dr. Lanni joined the faculty at MCV in 1999.

Fidelma B. Rigby, MD is Associate Professor in the section and Director of Antenatal Testing.  Dr. Rigby attended medical school at the University of Virginia.  She received her residency training in Obstetrics and Gynecology and her fellowship in Maternal-Fetal Medicine at Louisiana State University School of Medicine in New Orleans.  She joined the department in 2005.

Patients can be seen for continuing care or for consultations at either of our two offices. One is in downtown Richmond at the Nelson Clinic at MCV Hospitals, and the other is at the Stony Point Medical Center.

Making a Clinical Appointment

To make a clinical appointment, please have the following information available when you call:

Full name
Social Security number
Date of birth
Address
Phone number

Office Locations:
Serving Downtown:
VCU Medical Center
Women's Health at Nelson Clinic
11th and Marshall Streets, Suite 600
Richmond, Virginia 23298
Phone: (804) 828-4409
Fax: (804) 828-6084
Map and Directions

Serving the West End and South Richmond:
Women's Health at Stony Point
9000 Stony Point Parkway
Richmond, VA 23235
Phone: (804) 560-8950
Fax: (804) 560-7343
Map and Directions