Maternal-fetal medicine specialists have unique training in treating pregnant women who need specialized treatment for themselves or their unborn babies.
Why You May Need a Maternal-Fetal Medicine Specialist
Your OB-GYN may recommend a maternal-fetal medicine specialist if:
- Your baby might have a birth defect, genetic disorder or another developmental issue
- You are considering pregnancy and have a pre-existing medical condition that could impact your or your baby’s health during pregnancy
- You had high blood pressure, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes or another condition during your last pregnancy that put your or your baby’s health at risk
- You have a preexisting health condition, such as an autoimmune disorder, diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure or HIV/AIDS
- You have had a previous pregnancy with any kind of birth defects
- You are having multiple births, such as twins or triplets. Multiple births can increase your risk for early labor
If you meet the criteria on this list and haven’t been seen by a maternal-fetal medicine specialist yet, then you may want to talk with your OB-GYN about whether an appointment with one of these specialists could be helpful.
Maternal-Fetal Medicine Appointments
Like other prenatal care appointments, your first meeting with a maternal-fetal medicine specialist will involve a lot of discussions. The doctor will ask about your medical history, current health and any previous pregnancy-related medical complications. You may also have a physical exam.
Once the doctor has a good understanding of your situation, he or she may recommend additional tests, such as:
- Fetal blood sampling, which can help doctors detect conditions such as fetal anemia, a decrease in red blood cells
- Fetal imaging exams, such as ultrasound, fetal echocardiography, MRI or CT, that offer greater detail than standard prenatal imaging exams
- Prenatal genetic tests, such as amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling, that can help identify genetic conditions and birth defects
Your maternal fetal medicine specialist will review the results of these tests and discuss next steps. If any of the tests reveal a potential birth defect or genetic condition, he or she can tell you about options for treating your baby before or very soon after birth. This can help you prepare for your own or your baby’s future needs.
Caring for Your High-Risk Pregnancy
Your OB-GYN and maternal-fetal medicine specialist will address medical needs that can put you both at risk. But a high-risk pregnancy requires some extra self-care as well. Before and during pregnancy, be sure to:
- Attend regular prenatal care appointments as recommended by your doctors
- Eat a healthy diet of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-mercury seafood, healthy fats and lean sources of protein, and practice good food safety measures to protect yourself from foodborne illnesses
- Exercise, if your doctor says you can
- Manage stress
- Stay on top of your weight and gain only the amount recommended by your OB-GYN
With a few basic steps, you can keep yourself and your baby as healthy as possible before delivery day.
More to Read
- When Should You Consider Prenatal Genetic Testing?
- Understanding Congenital Heart Defects
- 3 Things to Know About the Importance of Prenatal Care
Medically reviewed by Dr. Shifa Turan and Dr. Ozhan Turan.
