University of Maryland Integrated Lyme Program in Baltimore: Obstetric Care for Pregnant Patients with Lyme Disease

The University of Maryland Integrated Lyme Program is a specialized clinic within the University of Maryland Medical Center's obstetrics division that focuses on managing pregnancy and childbirth in patients with active or chronic Lyme disease, a tick-borne infection that can complicate maternal health and carry risks of fetal transmission if untreated.

What the program actually is

This is a joint initiative between UMB's infectious disease and obstetrics departments, not a standalone facility. It emerged because standard prenatal care often lacks the infrastructure to coordinate antibiotic therapy, fetal monitoring, and labor planning when Lyme disease is present. The program treats patients who are pregnant and diagnosed with Lyme disease (confirmed by two-tier serology testing), as well as those attempting pregnancy after Lyme treatment and women with chronic post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome seeking obstetric care. It sits as a referral specialty within Maryland's largest academic health system, meaning most patients arrive through their primary care physician or an infectious disease specialist rather than walking in directly.

Services and what to expect

The program offers integrated obstetric and infectious disease evaluation during a single coordinated visit. Pregnant patients receive standard obstetric ultrasound and monitoring alongside real-time consultation with an infectious disease physician regarding antibiotic choice and timing. The focus is on selecting penicillin-based therapies (typically penicillin G for active infection in pregnancy) rather than tetracyclines, which are contraindicated in pregnancy. Pricing follows University of Maryland Medical Center's standard obstetric facility fee structure; the actual cost depends on insurance coverage and whether the patient is established in UMB's system. Most major insurers are accepted, but verification of coverage for infectious disease co-management during obstetric visits is advisable given the specialty nature of the appointment.

The program does not perform diagnostic Lyme serology testing on-site; diagnosis must be confirmed before referral. It also does not replace routine prenatal care with a primary obstetrician, but rather supplements it when Lyme disease is a complicating factor.

How it compares to other Baltimore obstetric options

Baltimore's major obstetric providers include the University of Maryland Medical Center, Mercy Medical Center (formerly Bon Secours), Johns Hopkins Hospital, and several private practice groups. None of the others market a dedicated Lyme disease obstetric program. Johns Hopkins and University of Maryland both have robust infectious disease departments, but UMB's integrated approach means Lyme-positive pregnant patients do not need to juggle two separate appointments in different departments. Mercy Medical Center obstetrics handles high-risk pregnancies but does not advertise infectious disease obstetric coordination. For patients with uncomplicated Lyme disease and low likelihood of fetal transmission risk, routine private practice obstetrics may suffice; the UMB program is most relevant for active Lyme infection during pregnancy, cases with neurologic or cardiac manifestations, or repeat pregnancies after inadequately treated disease.

Who this program suits and who it does not

This program is designed for pregnant patients with confirmed Lyme disease and those planning pregnancy who have a history of Lyme infection. It also serves women with chronic symptoms attributed to Lyme disease who are pregnant or seeking fertility care. It is not appropriate for general obstetrics in patients without Lyme disease, and it does not address co-infections (babesiosis, anaplasmosis) unless the infectious disease team at UMB manages those separately. Patients with anxiety about Lyme transmission who lack confirmed infection are better served by straightforward prenatal counseling through a standard obstetrician rather than this specialized program.

What the first visit involves

The patient must arrive with a formal Lyme disease diagnosis and any prior treatment records. The visit typically runs 60 to 90 minutes and includes a full obstetric history, gestational-age assessment or confirmation via ultrasound, baseline fetal heart rate monitoring if past 20 weeks, and a detailed discussion of infection timeline and prior antibiotic therapy. The infectious disease physician reviews whether retreatment is indicated and, if so, discusses medication options, timing within pregnancy, and fetal monitoring adjustments. If this is the patient's first prenatal visit overall, baseline labs (CBC, metabolic panel, anemia screening) are obtained.

Hours, parking, and logistics

The program operates during University of Maryland Medical Center's standard business hours (typically 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, with limited Saturday availability). Appointments are by referral only; direct scheduling is not available. Parking is available in the medical center garage adjacent to the obstetric clinic building; overnight validation is not provided for obstetric visits. The clinic is located on the west side of the UMB campus in the obstetrics and gynecology building. Allow 15 to 20 minutes for check-in at your first visit.

This program fills a genuine gap in maternal-fetal medicine for a population that mainstream obstetrics often underprepares to handle. Maryland's prevalence of Lyme disease and UMB's research expertise in tick-borne illness make this a logical resource for pregnant patients navigating a rare but medically significant complication.