A new obstetrical emergency center opened at Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospital to provide expectant mothers and families with access to specialized care 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

“The needs of mother and baby in a medical emergency can vary drastically and may be impacted by any number of unique factors that aren’t present in a typical adult or pediatric emergency room visit,” said Teresa Criswell, director of Women’s and Children’s Services at Memorial Hermann Sugar Land, in a statement. “Our OB emergency center gives patients immediate access to a physician and staff who can best meet their health care needs.”

The center is staffed by nurses and a McGovern Medical School at UTHealth OB-GYN hospitalist. Beyond providing immediate care, emergency center staff will consult, coordinate and communicate with the patient’s OB-GYN when possible. Patients should notify their OB-GYN prior to coming to the center if possible, according to Memorial Hermann.

This comes as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a new report May 7 showing three in five pregnancy-related deaths in the U.S. can be prevented.

Data shows about 700 women die every year from pregnancy-related complications, some up to a year after giving birth. Of those deaths, about 31% happen during pregnancy, 36% happen during delivery or the week after giving birth and 33% occur one week to one year after delivery, according to the report.

Factors that can lead to pregnancy-related deaths include access to care, missed or delayed diagnoses and not recognizing warning signs, the report states.

Memorial Hermann recommends patients visit the OB emergency center for common reasons, including if they suspect preterm labor, experience vaginal bleeding, have complications related to high-risk pregnancy or have an infection and/or pelvic or abdominal pain.

An average of 150 pregnant patients visit the Memorial Hermann Sugar Land obstetrical triage each month, according to the hospital.