Maternal Fetal Medicine

What is Maternal Fetal Medicine?

As a branch of obstetrics, maternal fetal medicine focuses on the medical and surgical management of high-risk pregnancies. For moms-to-be with acute or chronic health problems, or those who have experienced complications during previous pregnancies, a maternal fetal medicine physician will help keep you and your growing baby healthy throughout pregnancy.

How We Are Different

Our Maternal Fetal Medicine department is where you’ll find high-risk pregnancy experts waiting to serve your needs before, during, and even after pregnancy. As part of our integrated, coordinated approach within the OB/GYN Department, we help minimize risks during complicated pregnancies that result from your health history, an acute health condition, previous complications with pregnancy, or other conditions.

Regardless of your health or pregnancy history, you will benefit from the care that members of our OB/GYN department provide. As a group, our staff includes board certified OB/ GYN physicians, certified nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners to provide women with focused, personalized care and community resources.

Support for pregnant women with complicated medical histories, complicated OB histories, or other high-risk problems such as the following:

• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Seizure disorders
• Lupus
• Previous pre-term birth
• Cervical incompetence
• Mid-trimester pregnancy loss
• Recurrent pregnancy loss
• Fetal demise
• Multiple gestations
• Fetus with birth defect
• Fetus with chromosome issues

Individualized Care & Perinatology:

• Genetic Counseling
• High Risk Pregnancy Care
• Multiple Births
• Prenatal diagnosis (amniocentesis)
• Prenatal Screening

How is training different for a maternal fetal medicine physician?

A maternal fetal medicine physician is an obstetrician/gynecologist with four years of OB/GYN training, followed by another two- to three-years of additional education and clinical experience. During this time, he or she receives training on both medical treatment and complex procedures for moms and babies, and develops specialized skills to help mothers and babies before and during a complicated or “un-routine” pregnancies.

When should I see a maternal fetal medicine specialist?

Maternal fetal medicine specialists partner with the mom-to-be, her family, and her medical team to navigate the un-routine and achieve the best possible outcome. We see families who have experienced un-routine pregnancies in the past, mothers with chronic health conditions, and women who develop unexpected problems during their pregnancy. If you feel this is the best approach to help you achieve the pregnancy outcomes you desire, we encourage you to make an appointment to meet with us.

When is the best time to consult with a maternal fetal medicine specialist?

We are here for you before, during and after a pregnancy:

• Before pregnancy, we can help identify and prepare for the risks of pregnancy, especially if there is something in your medical history, whether a disease or complications/challenges with a previous pregnancy.
• During pregnancy, we will help you chart a course that addresses conditions that may affect you or your developing baby.
• After delivery, we are here, along with other members of our OB/GYN department, to support you as you deal with complications that may develop—for example, postpartum hypertension, excessive bleeding, or even infection.

Pregnancy is both a special and a challenging time. Expect us to help you mitigate the challenges, especially when health history or medical complications arise. You can also expect to benefit from the coordinated, compassionate approach within the entire OB/GYN department.