What is the difference between ob/gyn and maternal-fetal medicine?
A: A maternal-fetal medicine specialist (perinatologist) receives a traditional obstetrics and gynecology education but with an additional three years of training to learn how to treat medical complications that are related to pregnancy.
What does a maternal-fetal medicine doctor do?
An MFM specialist can assess and recommend treatment for pregnancy problems such as too much or too little amniotic fluid, conditions in which the mother’s immune system attacks the child’s tissue, and diabetes or high blood pressure that develops during pregnancy.
What happens at first maternal-fetal medicine appointment?
During your visit, the specialist will ask detailed questions about your medical history, family history and any complications in prior pregnancies. The doctor may recommend follow-up visits, additional ultrasounds, additional testing or visits with other medical specialists.
What surgeries do maternal-fetal medicine perform?
Fetal surgery including minimally invasive fetoscopic surgery, fetal laser procedures, open fetal surgery, and ex utero intrapartum procedures (EXIT, which is surgery during birth to help a baby live outside the womb)
When should I see a maternal fetal medicine specialist?
You may also need a maternal fetal medicine specialist if you’ve had problems with a pregnancy in the past, you need special tests or procedures, or you or your baby develops problems anytime during your pregnancy (such as a birth defect). Women carrying more than one baby will also need to see an MFM specialist.
What are considered high risk pregnancies?
Pregnant women under 17 or over 35 are considered high-risk pregnancies. Being pregnant with multiple babies. Having a history of complicated pregnancies, such as preterm labor, C-section, pregnancy loss or having a child with a birth defect. A family history of genetic conditions.
What qualifies high risk pregnancy?
A “high-risk” pregnancy means a woman has one or more things that raise her — or her baby’s — chances for health problems or preterm (early) delivery. A woman’s pregnancy might be considered high risk if she: is age 17 or younger. is age 35 or older.
What questions does MFM ask?
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who is considered high risk?
- What tests do maternal-fetal specialists offer?
- I’m having a normal pregnancy. Do I need these tests?
- What if results of the ultrasound are abnormal?
- How can you detect problems other than chromosome abnormalities?
- How do I know if I’m at risk for pre-term birth?
What is considered high risk pregnancy?
Pregnant women under 17 or over 35 are considered high-risk pregnancies. Being pregnant with multiple babies. Having a history of complicated pregnancies, such as preterm labor, C-section, pregnancy loss or having a child with a birth defect. A family history of genetic conditions. Having a heart condition.
Is maternal-fetal medicine competitive?
Keep in mind, MFM fellowships have 12-18 months of required research time (typically divided in blocks throughout the 3 years), which are good/flexible hours. 2. As the above poster mentioned, check out the NRMP outcomes data- from the 2014-2018 appointment years, the match rate ranged from 66-80%.
How much do MFM doctors make?
How much does a Physician – Maternal/Fetal Medicine make in the United States? The average Physician – Maternal/Fetal Medicine salary in the United States is $459,756 as of October 29, 2021, but the range typically falls between $396,063 and $540,723.
Should I go to a maternal fetal medicine specialist?
Women with chronic health conditions, those who’ve developed unexpected problems during pregnancy or women who’ve had non-routine pregnancies, need special attention from day one of their pregnancy to the day they deliver. They need the expert care of a maternal fetal medicine specialist (MFM specialist), often beginning at preconception.
What is Maternal Fetal Medicine?
Maternal–fetal medicine. Maternal–fetal medicine (MFM), also known as perinatology, is a branch of medicine that focuses on managing health concerns of the mother and fetus prior to, during, and shortly after pregnancy.
What to expect during MFM ultrasound during pregnancy?
What to expect during MFM Ultrasound During Pregnancy Ultrasound is the most commonly used modality in pregnancy to image the unborn fetus and determine the health of the pregnancy . Across each trimester, ultrasound is used to enhance safety for the mother and provide reassurance regarding the fetal well-being .
What is a MFM specialist?
A maternal-fetal medicine specialist (MFM), or perinatologist , is an ob-gyn with specialized training to manage high-risk pregnancies. An MFM is a part of a medical team, which usually includes an ob-gyn, midwife, or family physician who all work together to make sure a woman gets comprehensive care during her pregnancy.