Maternal-Fetal Medicine
Women with high risk factors may seek consultation from or care by a perinatologist (also called a maternal-fetal medicine specialist) because they are “at-risk” and considering becoming pregnant or because they are pregnant and “high-risk,” “complicated,” or otherwise worried about their pregnancy. Perinatologists have three extra years of training in high-risk pregnancies.
Maternal-fetal specialists care for high-risk pregnancies when there are health concerns for mother, baby or both. They work with local obstetricians to help ensure at-risk women receive the special care they need right here, close to home, supporting the safe deliveries and welcoming healthy babies.
A perinatologist provides consultations, co-management and transfer of care before, during and after pregnancy. Services include:
- Preconception care
- Regular prenatal care for women with high-risk pregnancies
- Managing the mother’s existing health problems, such as diabetes and high blood pressure
- Caring for women who develop complications during pregnancy or childbirth
- Genetic screening, ultrasound and prenatal diagnoses
- Monitoring labor and delivering the baby or babies
- Managing any of the mom’s health problems after pregnancy, such as excessive bleeding, infections, or high blood pressure
- Identifies risks and provides recommendations for future pregnancies