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Christian Pettker, MD

Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Obstetric Specialties & Midwifery
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Patient type treated
Adult
Accepting new patients
Yes
Referral required
From patients or physicians
Board Certified in
Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Obstetrics & Gynecology

Biography

A middle-of-the-night wakeup call has never gotten old for Christian M. Pettker, MD, a high-risk pregnancy specialist. “I am still excited when I get woken up at 3 a.m. for a delivery and watch a family bring a new life into the world,” says Dr. Pettker, who is chief of obstetrics and medical director of both the labor and birth unit and the maternal special care unit at Yale New Haven Hospital. “It’s such a privilege and a joy.”

Witnessing a birth as a medical school student sold him on the field of obstetrics and gynecology, something he had never considered before that moment. “After that first delivery, I thought, ‘That was one of the most beautiful experiences I could ever participate in,’” he says. “That was what I knew I wanted to do when I got up every morning for the rest of my life.”

Dr. Pettker specializes in treating pregnant women with diabetes, hypertension, lupus, as well as multiple pregnancies or those with fetal abnormalities. “We’re really good at taking care of high-risk pregnancies like they are low-risk ones,” he says. “When women have a problem with their pregnancy or they have a medical problem and they become pregnant, they focus on the problem. When we show them that we will not only take care of their problems, but give them a normal experience, that is a big relief.”

However, not every high-risk pregnancy goes well, Dr. Pettker acknowledges. “For pregnancies with serious complications, there can be a huge sense of loss, and to help people get through those tragic moments can also be rewarding,” he says.

His research focuses on making the delivery environment safer for pregnant women and their newborn babies. “Yale has been a leader in healthcare safety and quality, particularly in obstetrics,” says Dr. Pettker, who is also an associate professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive services at Yale School of Medicine. “A lot of our work has had great outcomes and has become a model for other programs around the country.

Dr. Pettker delivers babies at Yale New Haven Hospital.

Titles

  • Professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences
  • Chief Patient Safety Officer and Associate Chief Quality Officer, Yale Medicine and Yale New Haven Health
  • Chief of Obstetrics; Vice Chair of Quality, Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences

Education & Training

  • Fellow
    Yale University School of Medicine (2007)
  • Resident
    New York Presbyterian Hospital (Columbia University) (2004)
  • MD
    Columbia University (2000)
  • BA
    Princeton University, Architecture (1995)

Languages Spoken

  • English
  • Español (Spanish)

Additional Information

Locations
Yale Maternal-Fetal Medicine
1 Long Wharf Drive
Ste 2nd Floor
New Haven, CT 06511

Biography

A middle-of-the-night wakeup call has never gotten old for Christian M. Pettker, MD, a high-risk pregnancy specialist. “I am still excited when I get woken up at 3 a.m. for a delivery and watch a family bring a new life into the world,” says Dr. Pettker, who is chief of obstetrics and medical director of both the labor and birth unit and the maternal special care unit at Yale New Haven Hospital. “It’s such a privilege and a joy.”

Witnessing a birth as a medical school student sold him on the field of obstetrics and gynecology, something he had never considered before that moment. “After that first delivery, I thought, ‘That was one of the most beautiful experiences I could ever participate in,’” he says. “That was what I knew I wanted to do when I got up every morning for the rest of my life.”

Dr. Pettker specializes in treating pregnant women with diabetes, hypertension, lupus, as well as multiple pregnancies or those with fetal abnormalities. “We’re really good at taking care of high-risk pregnancies like they are low-risk ones,” he says. “When women have a problem with their pregnancy or they have a medical problem and they become pregnant, they focus on the problem. When we show them that we will not only take care of their problems, but give them a normal experience, that is a big relief.”

However, not every high-risk pregnancy goes well, Dr. Pettker acknowledges. “For pregnancies with serious complications, there can be a huge sense of loss, and to help people get through those tragic moments can also be rewarding,” he says.

His research focuses on making the delivery environment safer for pregnant women and their newborn babies. “Yale has been a leader in healthcare safety and quality, particularly in obstetrics,” says Dr. Pettker, who is also an associate professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive services at Yale School of Medicine. “A lot of our work has had great outcomes and has become a model for other programs around the country.

Dr. Pettker delivers babies at Yale New Haven Hospital.

Titles

  • Professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences
  • Chief Patient Safety Officer and Associate Chief Quality Officer, Yale Medicine and Yale New Haven Health
  • Chief of Obstetrics; Vice Chair of Quality, Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences

Education & Training

  • Fellow
    Yale University School of Medicine (2007)
  • Resident
    New York Presbyterian Hospital (Columbia University) (2004)
  • MD
    Columbia University (2000)
  • BA
    Princeton University, Architecture (1995)

Languages Spoken

  • English
  • Español (Spanish)

Additional Information

Locations
Yale Maternal-Fetal Medicine
1 Long Wharf Drive
Ste 2nd Floor
New Haven, CT 06511
Yale Maternal-Fetal Medicine
1 Long Wharf Drive
Ste 2nd Floor
New Haven, CT 06511