How Perinatologists Can Best Use Generative AI To Enhance Obstetric Intelligence
By Dr. Amos Grunebaum
1. A New Era for Maternal-Fetal Medicine
Generative Artificial Intelligence (GAI) is reshaping medicine—and perinatology is no exception. While public fascination often centers on AI’s novelty, the true promise for maternal-fetal specialists lies in practical applications: streamlining documentation, enhancing patient communication, and supporting evidence-based decision-making. Used correctly, GAI becomes an efficient partner—not a replacement—for clinical judgment.
2. Drafting Documents with Precision and Speed
One of the most immediate gains from GAI is help with clinical documentation. From patient summaries and referral letters to informed consent drafts for complex scenarios like cesarean delivery on maternal request, GAI can generate structured, editable drafts. These should always be reviewed by the clinician, but the time saved is meaningful in high-volume practices.
3. Enhancing Patient Communication
Perinatology often involves emotionally charged discussions about fetal anomalies, high-risk pregnancies, or intervention timing. GAI can help draft plain-language explanations at varying readability levels or in different languages, improving patient comprehension and supporting truly informed decision-making—especially in settings with language or health literacy barriers.
4. Accelerating Research and Academic Writing
GAI tools are increasingly valuable for perinatologists engaged in research. Whether synthesizing literature, outlining manuscripts, or generating initial drafts of IRB protocols, GAI can reduce cognitive load and help overcome writer’s block. Used ethically, it can also simulate peer reviewer commentary and help revise drafts with greater efficiency.
5. Clinical Decision Support—With Boundaries
While GAI can assist by summarizing guidelines, proposing structured risk frameworks, or outlining differential diagnoses, it must not be relied on for autonomous decision-making. The risk of hallucinated content or context-blind errors is real. Perinatologists should treat GAI as a supplement, not a substitute, for clinical expertise.
6. Leading the Future Responsibly
GAI holds real potential to enhance perinatal care—but only when integrated thoughtfully. With clear prompting, careful oversight, and ethical boundaries, perinatologists can use GAI to save time, improve communication, and uphold standards of care. Those who learn to use it well will lead the next evolution in maternal-fetal medicine.