Atlanta Perinatal Associates: What Parents in Atlanta Need to Know

If you’re pregnant in Atlanta, Georgia or planning a pregnancy, you may come across the name Atlanta Perinatal Associates while searching for specialists. Many people aren’t sure what “perinatal” means, when they might need this type of care, or how it fits into the broader maternity care options in Metro Atlanta.

This guide breaks down what perinatal care typically involves, how practices like Atlanta Perinatal Associates often work, and what Atlanta-area families can expect when seeking high-risk pregnancy support.

What Does “Perinatal” Mean in Atlanta?

In the Atlanta medical community, perinatal care usually refers to care provided:

• Before pregnancy (preconception)
• During pregnancy (prenatal)
• Shortly after delivery (postpartum)
  with a focus on situations that may be higher risk or more complex than average.

A practice with a name like Atlanta Perinatal Associates is typically a group of doctors and clinicians who specialize in:

• Maternal–fetal medicine (MFM) – often called high-risk obstetrics
• Advanced prenatal imaging, such as detailed ultrasounds
• Monitoring and coordinating care when there are medical complications for the pregnant person or baby

These specialists usually do not replace your regular obstetrician or midwife. Instead, they work alongside them when additional expertise is needed.

Reasons Someone in Atlanta Might See a Perinatal Specialist

In Metro Atlanta, OB/GYNs, family doctors, midwives, or even fertility specialists commonly refer patients to perinatal practices for added support.

Typical reasons include:

• High-risk pregnancy factors

  • Pregnant over age 35 (advanced maternal age)
  • History of preterm birth, miscarriage, or stillbirth
  • Multiple pregnancy (twins, triplets, etc.)

• Existing health conditions

  • High blood pressure or preeclampsia concerns
  • Diabetes or gestational diabetes
  • Autoimmune conditions, kidney disease, or heart conditions
  • Obesity with added pregnancy risk

• Concerns about the baby’s development

  • Abnormal results on early screenings
  • Structural concerns seen on an ultrasound
  • Concerns about growth being too small or too large

• Genetic counseling or testing decisions

  • Family history of certain conditions
  • Questions about screening options and what they mean

In Atlanta, referrals to perinatal specialists are common from practices based around major hospital systems, including those near Emory University Hospital Midtown, Piedmont Atlanta Hospital, Northside Hospital Atlanta, and Grady Memorial Hospital. Where you’re referred often depends on where you already receive care and which health system your provider is part of.

What Care from a Perinatal Practice Typically Includes

A group like Atlanta Perinatal Associates would generally focus on consultative and diagnostic services, such as:

Detailed Ultrasounds and Imaging

You might be scheduled for:

• Level II or “anatomy” ultrasounds to carefully check the baby’s organs and structures
• Growth ultrasounds later in pregnancy to monitor size, blood flow, or amniotic fluid
• Biophysical profiles (BPPs) or non-stress tests (NSTs) to monitor how the baby is doing

In Atlanta, these studies are often done in specialized ultrasound suites attached to perinatal offices, usually near major hospital campuses. Parking, check-in procedures, and imaging wait times can differ, so it’s useful to ask about logistics when your appointment is scheduled.

High-Risk Pregnancy Consultations

A maternal–fetal medicine (MFM) specialist may:

• Review your medical history, medications, and prior pregnancies
• Explain your risk level in practical terms
• Outline monitoring plans (how often you might be seen, what tests are recommended)
• Coordinate with your primary OB/GYN or midwife about delivery planning

These consultations are generally detailed and may be longer than a standard prenatal visit. Many Atlanta patients appreciate bringing a partner or support person to help remember information and ask questions.

Genetic Counseling and Testing Support

In a city as diverse as Atlanta, genetic counseling often covers:

• Screening options early in pregnancy
• Carrier testing discussions based on family or ethnic backgrounds
• Review of results from blood tests or ultrasounds
• Guidance about follow-up options, which might include more advanced testing

Not every perinatal practice offers on-site genetic counselors, but those that don’t will often coordinate with counselors affiliated with local hospital systems or specialized clinics in the metro area.

How Perinatal Specialists Work with Atlanta Hospitals

Most perinatal practices in Atlanta are closely tied to one or more hospitals. That matters because:

• They may round on patients admitted for pregnancy-related complications.
• They often participate in delivery planning when higher-level care is needed.
• They coordinate with neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) for babies expected to need support after birth.

Atlanta has several major hospitals known for high-level maternity and newborn care, such as:

• Northside Hospital Atlanta – 1000 Johnson Ferry Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30342
• Emory University Hospital Midtown – 550 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30308
• Piedmont Atlanta Hospital – 1968 Peachtree Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30309
• Grady Memorial Hospital – 80 Jesse Hill Jr Dr SE, Atlanta, GA 30303

A perinatal practice may see patients in an office setting and then work with these hospitals (or their affiliated women’s centers) if admission or delivery at a higher level of care is needed.

Practical Steps if You’re Referred to a Perinatal Group in Atlanta

If your OB/GYN or midwife mentions a practice like Atlanta Perinatal Associates, you can prepare by:

1. Confirming Insurance and Network

• Call the perinatal office’s front desk and your insurance company.
• Ask whether the doctor and facility are in-network, and clarify any expected specialist co-pays or imaging fees.
• In Metro Atlanta, some perinatal practices may be tied to specific health systems (for example, Emory, Northside, Piedmont). Your network may be more favorable with one system than another.

2. Gathering Records

Before your visit, ask the office:

• Whether they already have your records or if you should bring copies
• Which documents they want, such as:
  • Prior ultrasounds
  • Blood test results
  • Medication lists
  • Notes from other specialists (cardiology, endocrinology, etc.)

Having these uploaded or printed ahead of time can make your first appointment smoother.

3. Planning Your Visit Logistically

Traffic and parking around Atlanta’s major medical centers can be unpredictable. When your appointment is scheduled:

• Ask where to park (deck, surface lot, valet) and which entrance to use.
• Build in extra time for traffic on major routes like I-75/I-85, GA-400, or the Perimeter (I-285), especially if your appointment is near rush hour.
• If you use transit, confirm which MARTA station or bus routes are closest to the building where the office is located.

Typical Services You Might Encounter

Here’s a quick reference to the kind of services that practices like Atlanta Perinatal Associates commonly provide in the Atlanta area:

How This Differs from Regular OB/GYN Care in Atlanta

People in Atlanta sometimes wonder whether a perinatal practice will take over all their prenatal care. In many cases:

• You continue to see your primary OB/GYN or midwife for:

  • Routine checkups
  • Basic prenatal labs
  • Standard ultrasounds (if offered in-office)
  • Most general questions and support

• You see the perinatal specialists for:

  • More detailed imaging
  • Complex discussions and decision-making
  • Ongoing monitoring if your risk level is higher

Some high-risk pregnancies end up being primarily managed by the perinatal group, with delivery at a hospital where that team is based. In other situations, perinatal specialists simply provide input and then send you back to your usual provider with a plan.

Asking directly, “Who will be my main point of contact?” and “Where would I deliver if complications arise?” can help you understand your specific setup in the Atlanta system.

Coordinating with Other Atlanta Resources

High-risk pregnancy care in Atlanta often involves more than one specialist. You may see:

• Endocrinologists (for diabetes or thyroid issues)
• Cardiologists (for heart conditions)
• Mental health professionals familiar with perinatal mood and anxiety concerns
• Social workers or case managers, especially if prolonged bedrest or frequent appointments affect work, transportation, or childcare

If you need help with logistics or support:

• Georgia Department of Public Health – Fulton County Board of Health

  • 10 Park Place South SE, Atlanta, GA 30303
  • Main line (commonly listed): (404) 613-1205
  • They can provide information on maternal and child health programs, support services, and referrals.

• Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition of Georgia (Atlanta-based) often serves as a resource hub for pregnancy and postpartum support, insurance navigation, and local program connections.

Perinatal offices frequently work with these types of organizations to help patients manage complex social or financial circumstances during pregnancy.

Questions to Ask at a Perinatal Appointment in Atlanta

To make the most of your visit with a practice like Atlanta Perinatal Associates, consider bringing a written list of questions, such as:

• What exactly makes my pregnancy “high risk” in your view?
• How will my care be divided between your office and my regular OB/GYN or midwife?
• How often will I need to come in for visits or ultrasounds?
• Which Atlanta hospital(s) do you deliver at or work most closely with?
• Are there any warning signs that should make me go straight to an Atlanta-area emergency department or labor and delivery unit?
• Who should I call after hours if I have concerns?

These practical questions can help you feel more oriented in the Atlanta healthcare landscape and better prepared for the rest of your pregnancy.

If you’ve been referred to Atlanta Perinatal Associates or a similar group, you are not alone. Many expectant parents in Atlanta spend at least part of their pregnancy under the care of perinatal specialists. Understanding what they do, how they coordinate with local hospitals, and how to navigate appointments in the city can make the process feel more manageable and less overwhelming.