MFM or Maternal-Fetal Medicine is a subspecialty of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Doctors who are subspecialized in MFM are specifically trained to care for women with high risk pregnancies.
Why might a patient wish to be referred to a Maternal-Fetal Medicine sub-specialist?
Most women seek consultation from or care by a Maternal-Fetal Medicine (MFM) sub-specialist because they "at risk" and considering becoming pregnant or because they are pregnant and "high risk", "complicated", or otherwise worried about their pregnancy.
What are examples of types of patients seen by Maternal-Fetal Medicine sub-specialists?
Patients undergoing diagnostic or therapeutic procedures during pregnancy, such as:
Women with medical or surgical disorders, such as:
Healthy women whose pregnancy is at markedly increased risk for adverse outcome, such as:
Why is an MFM sub-specialist ideally suited/trained/prepared to care for women with these issues/pregnancy complications?
A Maternal-Fetal Medicine sub-specialist is an individual who has completed two to three years of Maternal-Fetal Medicine fellowship after completing four years of Obstetrics and Gynecology residency upon graduation from Medical School. Fellowship training provides additional education and practical experience to gain special competence in various obstetrical, medical, and surgical complications of pregnancy. By virtue of this training and technical proficiency, the MFM sub-specialist provides care or consultation for both mother and fetus (unborn baby) in a complicated pregnancy. In addition, he/she provides education and research concerning the most recent approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of obstetrical problems. He/she thus promotes awareness of the diagnostic and therapeutic techniques for optimal management of these complicated pregnancies.
How is care coordinated between your provider and an MFM sub-specialist?
It is recognized that many obstetricians-gynecologist are also qualified by training and experience to manage complicated pregnancies. Maternal-Fetal Medicine sub-specialists are complementary to obstetricians in providing consultations, co-management, or direct care for a complicated patients both before (pre-conceptional counseling) and during pregnancy. Maternal-Fetal Medicine sub-specialists also function in collaboration with family physicians and certified nurse-midwives. The relationship between your provider and the Maternal-Fetal Medicine sub-specialist will depend upon the acuity of the condition and local circumstances.
From: Society of Maternal-Fetal Medicine